Princess Charlene Illness: Is Princess Charlene of Monaco Sick? Who is Princess Charlene of Monaco? What Illness Does Princess Charlene of Monaco Have?
by Mathelene
Updated May 29, 2023
Who is Princess Charlene of Monaco?
Princess Charlene of Monaco, formerly known as Charlene Wittstock, is a former Olympic swimmer and the wife of Prince Albert II of Monaco. She was born on January 25, 1978, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Charlene represented South Africa in swimming during her athletic career, participating in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and various other international competitions.
Charlene met Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monaco in 2000. They began dating in 2006 and got engaged in 2010. The couple married in a lavish ceremony held in July 2011, and Charlene officially became Princess of Monaco upon her marriage.
As Princess of Monaco, Charlene has been involved in various charitable and philanthropic activities. She has shown a particular interest in promoting sports, health, and education initiatives. She has also represented Monaco at numerous official events and engagements, both domestically and internationally.
Princess Charlene Illness
In May 2021, Princess Charlene of Monaco contracted an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infection while on a trip focused on raising awareness about rhinoceros poaching in Southern Africa. She had previously undergone a sinus lift and bone grafting procedure, which contributed to her condition.
As a result, she experienced difficulties equalizing pressure and was advised against flying at altitudes above 20,000 feet. This led to her absence from the scheduled appearance at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix and her prolonged stay in South Africa, away from her family.
Following multiple procedures and surgeries, Princess Charlene returned to Monaco in November 2021 after spending several months in medical care. However, in November 2021, the palace announced that she would be resting and had canceled all her activities due to ill health, primarily attributed to deep fatigue. She subsequently underwent a recovery period outside of Monaco, spending four months at a Swiss clinic.
In March 2022, the palace confirmed that Princess Charlene had returned to Monaco and was gradually expected to resume her duties as her health continued to improve. Unfortunately, in June 2022, she tested positive for COVID-19 and entered self-isolation in accordance with the necessary health protocols.
Is Princess Charlene of Monaco Sick?
Yes, Princess Charlene of Monaco is Sick. Due to an illness that prevented her from returning home to Monaco, Charlene spent a significant portion of 2021 in South Africa. This meant she was unable to see her two children, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, as well as her husband, Prince Albert II, even on their tenth wedding anniversary.
Although Charlene returned to Monaco in early November 2021, her health continued to pose challenges for several months. Numerous engagements were canceled, and the Palais Princier officially announced that she needed time to recover from her recent poor health.
Prince Albert confirmed that she was receiving treatment in a facility located outside of Monaco. Thankfully, as 2022 progressed, Charlene's health showed improvement, allowing her to gradually return to public life. Her husband, Prince Albert, expressed joy and celebrated her improved well-being.
What Illness Does Princess Charlene of Monaco Have?
In early 2021, Princess Charlene developed a severe ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infection, which marked the beginning of her health problems. She traveled to South Africa for a two-week visit in March but was unable to return home due to the severity of the infection. To address the infection, Charlene underwent surgery, but complications arose, making it difficult for her body to equalize pressure and preventing her from flying back to Monaco.
As a result, Charlene remained in South Africa for over six months, undergoing two additional surgeries during that time. On September 1st, 2021, while still in South Africa, she collapsed due to complications related to the surgery and was subsequently hospitalized at Netcare Alberlito Hospital. The palace issued a statement confirming her hospitalization and noting that her medical team considered her condition reassuring.
In early November, Charlene's doctors finally cleared her for safe travel, and she returned to Monaco. However, it appears that her health has once again declined since her return. According to Prince Albert, Charlene is currently receiving treatment in a facility located outside of Monaco.
He explained that her condition is attributed to both emotional and physical exhaustion and mentioned that she will require clinical care for several weeks. Prince Albert mentioned that while Charlene's initial hours back in Monaco went relatively well, it became apparent afterward that she was unwell.
Princess Charlene Monaco Grand Prix
Princess Charlene of Monaco debuted a new look at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, sporting auburn hair, a departure from her usual platinum cut. She showcased her new hairstyle alongside Prince Albert at the Circuit de Monaco event. Charlene wore a blue marine sheath with pleated color bands, complementing her signature short style. This public appearance marked the first time she had shown her new hair outside of the Maria Callas Awards dinner where she initially debuted it.
During the event, Charlene presented the second-place trophy to Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, while Prince Albert handed one to Max Verstappen for his win. Other attendees included Grace Kelly's granddaughter Charlotte Casiraghi, Kelly's grandson Louis Ducruet, and members of the Casiraghi family.
The Monaco Grand Prix, a renowned motorsport event, attracted numerous celebrity race fans. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Orlando Bloom, Tom Holland, James Marsden, Sara Sampaio, and Tommy Hilfiger were among the notable figures spotted at the race. In December, Princess Charlene's children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, celebrated their eighth birthday by participating in an ecological event at Monaco's Oceanographic Institute.
They provided aid to marine wildlife by preparing a package of juvenile turtles. The children also enjoyed the company of characters such as Po from Kung Fu Panda, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Super Mario during the special day. To mark the occasion, Charlene shared a video on her Instagram account featuring previously unseen family photos, captioning it with "Happy Birthday my loves" and accompanying it with the song "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw.
How Old is Princess Charlene of Monaco?
Princess Charlene of Monaco is 45 years old as of 2023. Born on January 25, 1978, at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Princess Charlene of Monaco's birth name is Charlene Lynette Wittstock. Her parents are Michael Kenneth Wittstock, a sales manager, and Lynette (née Humberstone), a former competitive diver and swimming coach.
The Wittstock family has German origins, with Charlene's great-great-grandparents, Martin Gottlieb Wittstock and Johanne Luise Wittstock (née Schönknecht), immigrating from the German village of Zerrenthin to South Africa in 1861. Charlene has two younger brothers named Gareth and Sean.
Gareth is a coffeehouse businessman in Monaco, while Sean is involved in promotions and events in South Africa. The family moved to South Africa in 1989 when Charlene was 12 years old. She attended Tom Newby Primary School in Benoni, near Johannesburg, from 1988 to 1991. In 2014, Charlene received a certificate verifying her Irish ancestry.
Princess Charlene Height
Standing at a height of 5 feet 10 inches, Princess Charlene of Monaco, formerly known as Charlene Wittstock, has achieved notable accomplishments in swimming. In the 1999 All-Africa Games held in Johannesburg, she won three gold medals and a silver medal. Representing South Africa, Charlene participated in the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games, earning a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay in the latter competition.
She also competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics as a member of the South African women's 4x100m medley team, which finished fifth. Charlene's swimming career included participation in the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships, where she achieved a sixth-place finish in the 200m breaststroke.
Alongside her athletic pursuits, Charlene dedicated her time to teaching swimming lessons to underprivileged children. She transitioned from the Durban-based Seagulls team to join the Tuks Swimming Club at the High Performance Centre of the University of Pretoria. Although she did not enroll in classes, the club generously provided her with various benefits, including free access to pools, coaching, accommodation, and gymnasium facilities.
Princess Charlene Illness - FAQs
Princess Charlene of Monaco, born Charlene Lynette Wittstock, is a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa who became the Princess consort of Monaco upon her marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2011.
Princess Charlene's maiden name is Wittstock.
Princess Charlene's height is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm).
Yes, Princess Charlene competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics as a member of the South African women's 4x100m medley team, which finished fifth.
Princess Charlene married Prince Albert II of Monaco on July 1, 2011.