As the Monaco royals mark Saint Dévote Day, an annual celebration in honor of their patron saint, the royal palace is sharing an update onPrincess Charlene, who will remain absent from the festivities as shecontinues her health recovery.
The “convalescence of H.S.H. Princess Charlene is currently continuing in a satisfying and very encouraging way,” a translation of the palace’s statement in French reads.
Charlene’s recovery and dental treatment “will still take several weeks,” the statement continues. And as a result, she “unfortunately will not be able to attend the festivities of the Sainte Dévote this year.”
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“With her husband H.S.H. Prince Albert II, she shares her heart with all Monegasques and residents on the occasion of these celebrations. As soon as her health will allow, it will be with joy that the Princess once again share moments of conviviality with them.”
“During this period, the Royal Couple requests that their private life and that of their children continue to be respected,” the statement concludes.
Princess Charlene, whocelebrated her 44th birthday on Wednesday, is currently receiving treatment outside of Monaco after suffering profound “exhaustion, both emotional and physical,“Prince Albert told PEOPLE exclusively in November.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.PLS Pool/Getty Images
After landing in South Africa last May for what was planned as a brief 10-day visit in her home country, complications from a previous ENT proceduregrounded her for six months. A series of painful corrective surgeries and a subsequent relapse postponed her return to Monaco until early November toreunite with her husband and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
Upon her return, however, the princess exhibited signs of both emotional and physical exhaustion and in consultation with her doctors and family members, she decided to seek medical assistance.
Princess Charlene.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
For numerous reasons, it was determined a facility outside Monaco was preferential. Seeking treatment “elsewhere in Europe” was a solution that the princess already favored, Albert said.
Albert described Charlene’s decision as a voluntary choice. “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,” he told PEOPLE in November.
In December, the palace shared that “it may take a few more months before her health has reached a full recovery.”
Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques on Monaco National Day in 2018.Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images
Since her withdrawal from public life, the princess has stayed active on social media. In December, she posted photos of herchildren’s “countdown” birthday partyand afamily Christmas portrait. She also spoke out following the death of her friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Dec. 26. And on Wednesday, she shared aspecial birthday videocreated in her honor.
source: people.com
