Princess Charlene 'Almost Died' In South Africa; Palace Is Downplaying Her Health Condition: Report

Princess Charlene lived away from Prince Albert and their kids in the past six months because she couldn't travel back to Monaco due to her physical condition at the time, a report has revealed.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert reunited earlier this month after being separated for months. She was stuck in South Africa due to an ENT infection that needed corrective surgeries and withheld her from flying.

An unnamed insider spoke about the royal's health after Prince Albert revealed that his wife had gone into rehab upon her return to the principality in a previous interview. According to the tipster, Princess Charlene's health condition was serious.

"It is unfair that she is being portrayed as having some kind of mental or emotional issue," the source told Page Six. "We don’t know why the palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa."

According to the tipster, the 43-year-old royal had a severe ear, nose, and throat infection, which resulted in "severe sinus and swallowing issues stemming back from an earlier surgery."

Princess Charlene hasn't eaten solid food in over six months because of the surgeries. Also, she has been taking liquids with a straw that's why she lost nearly half of her body weight, the insider added. The source noted that Princess Charlene is "definitely not losing her mind, or suffering from severe mental health issues."

"She is exhausted by six months of surgeries and an inability to eat properly as a result of it," the source continued. "And she desperately missed her children and her husband while she was stuck in South Africa because she couldn’t travel home."

Princess Charlene addressed the issue of her being stuck in South Africa for months in a previous interview with South Africa's Channel 24 in July. According to her, she couldn't return to Monaco due to surgery complications. Her condition would not allow her inner pressure to "equalize," so she couldn't fly above 20,000 feet.

In an interview with People last week, Prince Albert said that his wife is currently getting help in a facility "outside of Monaco." Her condition was said to be a result of "several factors which are private matters." He added that Princess Charlene was "clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally."

"She was overwhelmed and couldn't face official duties, life in general or even family life," he added.

The princess reportedly chose a facility elsewhere in Europe and not in the principality for "privacy reasons." Prince Andrew also said it was Princess Charlene's decision to undergo treatment.

"She had already made her decision, and we only wanted her to confirm it in front of us. She wanted this. She already knew the best thing to do was to go and have a rest and have a real medically framed treatment," he explained.