Princess Charlene.Photo: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Monaco’sPrincess Charleneis back in Monaco.
The 44-year-old royal mother returned to the principality andreunited with her familyearlier this week, PEOPLE has exclusively learned.
Charlene has beenreceiving care in a Swiss clinicsince November. Her return to Monaco after four months, in consultation with her physicians, is a result of her “encouraging recovery,” according to the palace communication sent to PEOPLE.
Seeking treatment “elsewhere in Europe” was a solution that the Princess already favored, he explained. “She had already made her decision, and we only wanted her to confirm it in front of us. She wanted this. She already knew the best thing to do was to go and have a rest and have a real medically framed treatment,” hetold PEOPLE in November.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.PLS Pool/Getty Images
The Princess is expected to resume her official duties gradually and only after several weeks of continuing care and repose. The Palace statement indicates that her return to public appearances and commitments will occur “as soon as her health is strong enough. The communique restates the Princess looks forward to once again spending time and socializing with the Monegasques.”
As with previous announcements concerning the Princess' health, the palace communication includes a request for continued respect for family privacy (It also notes that Charlene and Albert “have the joy of sharing the following information”).
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
The Princess, the press statement concludes, “still needs peace and calm, The Princely Couple therefore asks that their private life and family environment continue to be respected.”
Charlene’s return is the latest step in a ten-month long odyssey. She first became ill while in South Africa last May for what was planned as a brief 10-day visit in her home country.
However, complications from a previous ENT proceduregrounded her for six months. A series of painful corrective surgeries and a subsequent relapsedelayed her return to Monacountil late 2021.
Upon her return, the Princess exhibited signs of exhaustion and decided to seek medical assistance. It was clear “she was unwell and felt uncomfortable” a palace source told PEOPLE.
Since then, both the palace and the Princess have regularly shared updates on her recovery. Prince Albert as well as their children have been in daily contact with the Princess, insiders report.
During her illness and recovery, the Princess has been forced to celebrate several significant holidays and family occasions, including her tenth wedding anniversary, herchildren’s birthday, andher own birthday, through social media.
source: people.com
