Princess Charlene Discusses Medical Saga That Kept Her Away From Prince Albert, Kids For Months

Princess Charlene of Monaco is giving an update on her health.

The royal spoke to the local newspaper Monaco Matin Wednesday and addressed the health concerns that kept her away from her family and the principality for a year.

While she's still on the mend, Princess Charlene told the outlet that she "[feels] so much better today than I have in recent years," Fox News Digital reported.

"I feel less pain and much more energy," she shared. "I continue to recover, to rebalance myself. It will still take time, but I'm happy."

Princess Charlene added that her family and her loved ones have been her "rock" amid her health struggles.

As she continues to recover, the former Olympic swimmer said she will "approach the future step by step, one day at a time."

Princess Charlene's health deteriorated while she was visiting South Africa in May 2021. The visit to her home country was supposed to last only 10 days, but an ear, nose and throat infection that needed corrective surgeries prevented her from flying back to Monaco, keeping her away from her family for several months.

She returned to Monaco in November 2021 but left again shortly after to undergo treatment at a facility in Switzerland that lasted four months.

Princess Charlene and her husband Prince Albert's long-distance relationship sparked split rumors, which she shut down in May, two months after finishing her treatment and returning to Monaco to resume royal duties.

"You want to talk about rumors of divorce or my new home in Switzerland?" she told reporters, referring to rumors that she bought a home outside Geneva.

"I still find it regrettable that certain media peddle such rumors about my life, my relationship," Princess Charlene continued. "Like everyone else, we are human beings, and like all human beings we have emotions, weaknesses, only our family is exposed to the media and the slightest weakness is relayed."

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, who tied the knot in 2011, share 8-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

During her Wednesday interview, the princess noted that her children were "born with responsibilities and duties" but that they're still learning their royal roles.

As for how she and her husband are preparing their kids for their future roles, Princess Charlene shared that when the family goes to an event, they explain to Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella the nature of the event or ceremony.

She said that their kids like accompanying their parents to royal engagements and that all four of them "enjoy doing these together."

"But as I said, they are still young, they continue to observe, to learn before it will become natural to them," Princess Charlene told Monaco Matin.

According to Princess Charlene, their children are happily taking part in royal traditions, such as those for the National Day of Monaco, which she said is always "a joyful time with the family, supported by many interactions with the Monegasque population."

This year, Prince Jacques wore the same uniform as his father, while Princess Gabriella proudly wore her medal.

"They love and protect each other and share an immense benevolence between them," Princess Charlene said of their kids, before adding, "It's a rather unique bond I must say, and I see this particularly that the twins share."