Princess Charlene is back in business: Royal is chic in a black and white dress as she visits the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in her first solo engagement since her return to Monaco
- Princess Charlene of Monaco, 44, visited the Princess Grace Hospital Centre
- Outing marks her first solo engagement since her return from a treatment centre
- She has been largely out of the public eye for the last 18 months
- Slowly returning to duties and has stepped out with her family in recent weeks
Princess Charlene stepped out for her first solo engagement since returning to Monaco after a stint in a treatment centre for 'exhaustion'.
The princess, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques with husband Prince Albert, 64, paid a visit to patients, staff and families at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, the only public hospital in Monaco.
Charlene is slowly readjusting to royal duties after remaining largely out of the public eye over the last 18 months. She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery.
She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was 'exhausted'.
Back in business: Princess Charlene stepped out for her first solo engagement since returning to Monaco after a stint in a treatment centre for 'exhaustion'
In her element: The mother-of-two looked relaxed as she spent time speaking to parents and cuddling the tiny patients
Personal touch: The princess spoke to one couple with their baby during yesterday's visit
The Royal Palace announced in March that Charlene had returned and would make a gradual reintroduction to public life.
In recent weeks she has made full a handful of public appearances with her husband and children, including a visit to Norway and an outing to the F1, but the hospital marks her first outing alone.
The mother-of-two looked relaxed as she spent time speaking to parents and cuddling the tiny patients.
Typically chic, Charlene opted for a sleek black and white midi dress which she paired with black strappy sandals. The princess wore her short blonde locks in her signature pixie cut, adding an edgy touch to the classic ensemble.
It comes just days after Charlene and Albert celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary.
The couple's relationship has come under enormous scrutiny in recent months.
Loving hand: The devoted mother-of-two held the hand of one tiny patient at the Monaco hospital
Showing she cares: Charlene was accompanied by senior hospital officials as she met with parents and patients
Monochrome magic: Typically chic, Charlene opted for a sleek black and white midi dress which she paired with black strappy sandals
Prince Albert said he was 'hurt by the vicious rumours' peddled about his marriage following his wife's absence and said that it's the 'most beautiful thing' to have her back with him.
French media has claimed she is receiving £10million a year to appear by her husband's side at public outings.
Leading French media reported the ruler of the tax haven Mediterranean principality was doing everything possible to keep Charlene 'at his side at public events'.
Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene's sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers.
'But the Princess did not return at any price,' magazine Voici reported. 'She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract.'
The revelations were followed up by rival publication Paris Match Belgium, which writes: 'Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.'
The Royal Palace in Monte Carlo refuses to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some £40m a year to cover the institution's running costs.
First appearance since her return: Princess Charlene joined Prince Albert and their children at the Monaco Formula E World Championships on April 30
Family outing: Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their children at the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament on May 7
Mummy-daughter date: Charlene took her daughter Gabriella, seven, to Monte Carlo Fasion Week on May 24
Getting back into the swing of things: Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival with her husband Prince Albert (pictured) on June 17
In the public eye: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the Monaco F1 on May 29
Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella, Opening of the 'Sailing the Sea of Science' exhibition at the Frammuseum in Oslo on June 22
Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene would be reliant on Albert – a billionaire in his own right – for her own spending money.
A Royal insider based in Monte Carlo told Mail Online: 'Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.
'She's been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.'
Prince Albert, 62, said the time apart was 'a test for his wife' but they 'spoke often, despite the distance.
Charlene first had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco shared a new portrait over the weekend to mark their 11th wedding anniversary. Pictured, Charlene's Instagram post
After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for 'exhaustion' at a Swiss clinic.
The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality's ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess' long absence.
Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was 'a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.
'We missed the princess a lot. And we were obviously hurt by the malicious rumours that were peddled. But we were able to stay united despite the distance, we spoke to each other often.'
He added: 'Today, Charlene is back with us and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened. She's better, we can finally spend time together. It is a relief and a joy for all of us.'
Most watched News videos
- Shocking moment woman is abducted by man in Oregon
- Columbia protester calls Jewish donor 'a f***ing Nazi'
- Wills' rockstar reception! Prince of Wales greeted with huge cheers
- Moment escaped Household Cavalry horses rampage through London
- Vacay gone astray! Shocking moment cruise ship crashes into port
- New AI-based Putin biopic shows the president soiling his nappy
- Rayner says to 'stop obsessing over my house' during PMQs
- Ammanford school 'stabbing': Police and ambulance on scene
- Shocking moment pandas attack zookeeper in front of onlookers
- Shadow Transport Secretary: Labour 'can't promise' lower train fares
- All the moments King's Guard horses haven't kept their composure
- Prison Break fail! Moment prisoners escape prison and are arrested