Princess Charlene of Monaco accompanies Prince Albert to the memorial service for his father Prince Rainier III – as the couple formed a united front, according to divided rumours
Princess Charlene of Monaco publicly supported her husband Prince Albert this afternoon as the couple attended a memorial service for his father Prince Rainier III.
Tomorrow marks the 18th anniversary of Rainier’s death. The late royal died of a heart attack in April 2005.
Before his sudden death at the age of 82, the father of three was ruler of Monaco for almost 56 years.
A celebration of Rainier’s life was held this afternoon at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Monaco-Ville – where Rainier and his former Hollywood actress Grace Kelly are buried.
Arriving at mass, Charlene and Albert – who reportedly split after the princess was pictured without her wedding ring – briefly brushed their hands as they climbed the steps to the cathedral.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene exited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Monaco-Ville after the memorial service
For the somber occasion, Charlene donned a minimal gray coat – which she wore over a black and white plaid top.
The mother-of-two wore a matching gray geometric pleated skirt with an oversized black leather belt.
To complete her elegant ensemble, Charlene wore a pair of black leather stiletto heels and sheer tights.
She styled her short blonde hair in a side part and wore minimal jewelry for the memorial service – she opted for two diamond stud earrings.
Meanwhile, her husband Albert looked appropriately chic in a black suit and tie as he paid his respects to his late father.
The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Monaco, Dominique Marie David, who has held the post since March 2020.
Before entering the cathedral, Albert and Charlene were photographed exchanging pleasantries with the archbishop and other members of the church before entering.
Afterwards, Charlene – who was by her husband’s side throughout the occasion – took the time to thank the Archbishop for putting the monument together.
Princess Charlene looked chic for the service in a minimal gray coat, pleated skirt and black heels
The couple, who hit back at rumors of a split last month, briefly rubbed hands upon arrival
The couple greeted members of the church in front of the memorial to Prince Rainier – who died 18 years ago on April 6
Prince Raininer III and Grace Kelly in January 1956, shortly after their engagement was announced
During an appearance in Milan last month, 44-year-old Charlene’s ring finger was noticeably bare, prompting speculation the Monegasque royals might be planning a split.
Later that day, however, the couple appeared together at the Monte Carlo Woman of the Year Awards, where Charlene appeared to be proudly wearing her wedding ring – throwing cold water on the split rumours.
Rumors of the couple’s marriage first circulated after Charlene was absent from Monaco for most of 2021 while receiving medical treatment in her native South Africa and was admitted to a Swiss clinic to be treated for exhaustion upon her return .
She is now back in full swing with royal duties and public appearances, but French magazine ROYAUTÉ claimed that the prince and princess are in the process of splitting up.
However, the Palace press office said they “formally deny the malicious rumors being circulated by the magazine”.
A spokesman said: “I would like to formally deny the malicious rumors being spread by the French magazine Royauté. Please ignore this article which is totally unfounded.’