Princess Charlene Doing 'Much Better' Amid Recovery, Husband Prince Albert Says

Princess Charlene is making good progress in her recovery.

Her husband Prince Albert told local newspaper Monaco-Matin Thursday that Princess Charlene "is doing much better, and I hope she will be back in the Principality very soon," People reported.

Princess Charlene, who celebrated her 44th birthday in January, is currently receiving treatment outside of Monaco after suffering profound "exhaustion, both emotional and physical," Prince Albert told the outlet in November last year.

The latest update from the sovereign prince of Monaco came three weeks after the palace said in a statement late last month that Princess Charlene's recovery was "continuing in a satisfying and very encouraging way."

However, the royal's recovery and dental treatment "will still take several weeks," according to the statement.

As a result of her treatment, Princess Charlene missed the festivities of the Sainte Dévote Day, an annual celebration in Monaco in honor of their patron saint, last month.

"With her husband H.S.H. Prince Albert II, she shares her heart with all Monegasques and residents on the occasion of these celebrations. As soon as her health will allow, it will be with joy that the Princess once again share moments of conviviality with them," the statement read.

"During this period, the Royal Couple requests that their private life and that of their children continue to be respected," the statement concluded.

Princess Charlene's 10-day visit to South Africa in May 2021 was extended for several months after she suffered complications from a previous ENT procedure and had to undergo a series of painful corrective surgeries.

A subsequent relapse postponed her return to Monaco until early November 2021, when she was finally able to reunite with her husband and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

However, Princess Charlene soon exhibited signs of both emotional and physical exhaustion and sought medical assistance on the advice of doctors and family members.

"She was overwhelmed and couldn't face official duties, life in general or even family life," Prince Albert told People last year.

It is not clear where the clinic Princess Charlene chose for her treatment is located, but Prince Albert said seeking treatment "elsewhere in Europe" rather than Monaco was a solution that his wife favored.

Meanwhile, an unnamed source claimed to Page Six that it was "unfair" that Princess Charlene is "being portrayed as having some kind of mental or emotional issue" and that the palace is allegedly "downplaying that she almost died in South Africa."

The insider claimed that Princess Charlene hadn't eaten solid food in over six months because of the surgeries and lost nearly half of her body weight as she had been taking liquids with a straw.

The source noted that Princess Charlene is "definitely not losing her mind, or suffering from severe mental health issues."

Throughout her recovery, Prince Albert and the children maintained contact with Princess Charlene through phone and video calls. Unnamed sources told People the prince and their two children have already visited Princess Charlene on several occasions as she continues her treatment.