Princess Charlene makes first public appearance with husband Prince Albert since

Princess Charlene looked pensive today during the first public appearance she’s made with husband Prince Albert since November. 

The couple were also accompanied by their seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, as the family attended the Monaco E-Prix.

They have rarely been seen together since Zimbabwean-born Charlene, 44, spent some 10 months in South Africa last year, after contracting a serious sinus infection during a solo charity trip. The illness left her hospitalised and delayed her return to Monaco. 

After returning to Monaco last November, Charlene almost immediately left and went to Switzerland to receive treatment for ‘exhaustion’.

Charlene (pictured, right) has been snapped in public with husband Prince Albert (left) and their seven-year-old twins Prince Jacques (far left) and Princess Gabriella (right) at today’s Monaco E-Prix

The royal, 44, who has suffered from a number of unspecified illnesses in the last year, was pictured looking pensive at the event

Today’s photos mark the first time the Monaco royals have been seen in public together as a family since Charlene returned to the principality following her treatment.   

Charlene was pictured wearing an all-grey ensemble, pairing her trouser suit with a matching top. Her blonde crop was neatly coiffed, and she wore elegant make-up, including liquid eye liner and natural glossy lips.

She has faced a variety of health problems, including what the palace has previously referred to as a ‘state of profound general fatigue’ over the last year, which have kept her largely out of the public eye.

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.

Rumours the pair were incompatible were sparked from the outset, with Charlene attracting a barrage of attention over an apparent bad dose of pre-wedding jitters which, reportedly, saw her seeking refuge in her country’s embassy and gaining the moniker ‘the Runaway Bride’. 

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. 

She underwent surgery in October for an ear, nose and throat infection after checking in under a pseudonym in a Durban hospital, a palace source said at the time. 

After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for ‘exhaustion’ at a Swiss clinic. 

Friends previously told Page Six that the mother-of-two ‘almost died’ while she was in her home country, while her husband spoke out to say she is suffering from ‘exhaustion, both emotional and physical’. 

‘She was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life,’ Albert told People magazine in November. 

The family was pictured taking to the stage at the motoring event, in their first public appearance since last November

The royal appeared to look glum as she comforted her seven-year-old twins, who appeared to be struggling with the noise at the event

Charlene, 44, (pictured with her seven-year-old daughter Gabriella at today’s Monaco E-Prix) has been suffering from exhaustion, both emotional and physical’ in recent times, her husband told People magazine

A palace statement released on December 23 revealed Albert and the couple’s children were planning to visit Charlene during the Christmas holidays, as well as asking for the family’s privacy to be respected. 

It added that the princess ‘is recuperating in a satisfactory and reassuring manner, although it may take a few more months before her health has reached a full recovery.’ 

But distinguished royal journalist Stephane Bern has long speculated that Charlene’s litany of supposed health problems could simply be a cover-up to excuse her from participating in royal activities alongside her husband.

Bern said in January of last year, Charlene was expected to make a trip to visit French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, but suddenly came down with an illness. 

‘The princess had contracted a sudden gastroenteritis,’ he said. 

‘The Palace has had to invoke a suffering princess so often that the Monegasques today find it hard to believe. By crying wolf, the mother of Jacques and Gabriella has discredited and isolated herself.’

Earlier this month, the family shared an official portrait to mark Easter. According to a body language expert, Prince Albert appeared ‘tense’ as he tried to signal his position as ‘family protector’

Body language expert Judi James said the images showed the close bond Charlene shares with her children Gabriella and Jacques

The couple released an official family portrait earlier this month to mark Easter. A body language expert noted that Albert looked ‘tense’ in the image, while highlighting the close bond…