Princess Charlene celebrates 10th wedding anniversary

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A friend of Princess Charlene and her husband Prince Albert II opened up on the South Africa-born royal as she remains stuck in her homeland due to a severe ear, nose and throat infection. The prolonged separation from her husband and children has sparked speculation about the state of the royal couple’s marriage – strongly dismissed by the head of the House of Grimaldi.

Speaking about the journey to South Africa, the source explained the 43-year-old left Monaco in May simply to follow her passion for conservation.

Adding doing this has sometimes meant Charlene doesn’t conform to others’ expectations of how a royal should act or look, the source told People magazine: “She cares about saving the rhinoceroses and about teaching kids to swim.

“She doesn’t want to be Kate [Middleton], and she doesn’t want to be Grace Kelly.

“It was just Charlene being Charlene.”

The friend added: “She’s a little bit of an iconoclast.

“She’s her own person, and she’s not a shrinking violet.”

Princess Charlene travelled to South Africa four months ago to work with her Foundation, which launched the initiative #ChasingZero with the goal to stop wildlife poaching and educate people about conservation and preservation.

While she was supposed to remain in the country only for a few days, she was barred from leaving after it emerged she had developed an ENT infection following a sinus lift and bone graft held in preparation for dental implants.

Princess Charlene has remained in touch with her loved ones in Monaco via video calls.

Moreover, Prince Albert and their twin children Gabriella and Jaques travelled to South Africa twice over the summer to spend time with Charlene.

Nevertheless, the royal didn’t hide the fact the prolonged physical distance from her family in Monaco has been “trying”.

In early July, she told South African News Channel24: “It’s been a trying time for me.

“I miss my husband and children dearly.

“Albert is my rock and strength and without his love and support I would not have been able to get through this painful time.”

During her forced stay in South Africa, Princess Charlene has undergone several procedures.

On August 13, she underwent a four-hour-long surgery in a bid to heal.

While she had said in an interview she was expecting to remain in her homeland until late October, adding she “cannot force healing”, following this latest, promising operation her husband Prince Albert appeared hopeful she would be able to return to Monaco earlier than expected.

The royal told People: “She’s ready to come home.”

The return date, he noted, will very much “depend on what her doctor says”.

However, he added: “I know she’s said possibly ‘late October’ but that was before this most recent round of appointments.

“I’m pretty sure we can cut that time frame a little short.”

This interview was shared before it emerged Princess Charlene had been hospitalised on September 1 after collapsing.

The Royal Palace of Monaco said in a statement: “The Princess is currently recovering in South Africa, where her medical team has advised her not to travel until all necessary procedures have been completed.

“Charlene was meant to have another operation on September 3 before she suddenly collapsed.”

Charlene was dismissed from hospital last week.

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