Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco have launched the first Monegasque public TV channel amid claims they are living apart and only see each other ‘by appointment’.
The royal couple put on a united front as they launched TVMonaco which will broadcast a wide range of programmes including current affairs, talk shows, the environment and sport in a bid to promote Monegasque culture.
The state-owned channel, which was initially named Monte-Carlo Riviera TV, was meant to launch in late 2022 but it has been delayed until now. The principality’s new national channel was renamed as TVMonaco ahead of its launch yesterday.
The official Palace of Monaco Instagram account shared photos of Prince Albert and his wife beaming at the opening of the channel. But in separate footage of them being interviewed, Charlene looked uncomfortable and appeared to grimace as her husband spoke.
Prince Albert, 65, was dressed smartly in a black suit, white shirt and red tie ensemble, while Princess Charlene, 45, looked elegant as she donned a black silk top and loose-fitted cream trousers.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco (pictured together) put on a united front as they launched TVMonaco yesterday
Prince Albert puts his arm around the waist of Princess Charlene before flicking a switch which launched the TV channel
Prince Albert (left) was then pictured being interviewed in the studio after the launch of TVMonaco
Albert was also filmed putting his arm around his wife’s waist as they were taken inside one of the production suites to officially launch the channel by flicking a switch.
The prince – standing alongside his wife – told a MonacoTV reporter: ‘I’m very proud to be here, with Princess Charlene to launch this beautiful adventure, this TV channel which will expand the importance of this principality throughout the world.
‘And I am sure, considering how modern this setup is that there will be a very high quality of programming, important yes for residents of Monaco, but also for all those who like the principality and the riviera throughout the world so it’s a great joy to be here.’
Charlene briefly added: ‘And all the best for the future.’
A third photograph shared by the palace showed Prince Albert being interviewed in the glitzy studio, which is based in Monaco’s Fontvieille ward, with his wife likely watching on behind the scenes.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene – who share eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – are continuing to put on a united front amid rumours about the state of their marriage.
The royal couple have been at the centre of speculation after reports in European media alleged Charlene, 45, was living in Switzerland and only saw husband Albert, 65, ‘by appointment’.
Charlene also deleted her Instagram account last month, leading to further questions.
The royal couple were interviewed on the TV channel but it was mainly Prince Albert who spoke. Princess Charlene looked uncomfortable during the interview
TVMonaco will broadcast a wide range of programmes including current affairs, talk shows, the environment and sport in a bid to promote Monegasque culture
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco put on a united front as they relaxed on a yacht in Corsica amid rumours about the state of their marriage last month
The royal couple have been at the centre of speculation after reports in European media alleged Charlene, 45, was living in Switzerland and only saw husband Albert, 65, ‘by appointment’. But recent photos show them appearing relaxed
Cried and groom: Charlene had been accused of trying to run away three times before she married
The couple shared a seemingly awkward kiss during their religious wedding ceremony on July 2, 2011 in Monaco
A source close to the couple told French newspaper Voici that the former Olympic swimmer and son of Grace Kelly are just a ‘ceremonial couple’.
It adds that Charlene has promised to return to Monaco on official occasions and is now allowed to see her children more often – with the pair splitting care of the children.
‘Albert and Charlene are now good partners, take turns taking care of the children,’ a source added to German newspaper Bild.
Rumours of the state of the couple’s marriage have swirled for years, since Charlene cried on her wedding to Grace Kelly’s son in 2011.
However, the rumour mill went into overdrive when Charlene spent most of 2021 from her husband after returning to her native South Africa for what was supposed to be a month-long trip.
She wasn’t picture in Monaco from January 2021 until March 2022, citing a sinus issue which stopped her from flying.
Upon her return to the principality, Albert claimed she was ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘unwell’.
Speaking to People magazine at the time, Albert said the family reunion in Monaco last week initially went ‘pretty well’ in the first few hours, but it then became ‘pretty evident’ that Charlene was ‘unwell.’
He said the former Olympian ‘realised she needed help’, adding: ‘She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.’
Claims she will stay in Switzerland were backed up by a source who knows the couple well, who said: ‘The South of France is too close, but Switzerland has superb private medical facilities, and Charlene will be well looked after there.’
The couple have been at the centre of split rumours for years, but have always denied there’s an issue with their marriage.
In March, the Palace’s press office said they ‘formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the magazine’.
A spokesperson said: ‘I would like to formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the French magazine Royauté. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.’
Last month, the royal couple also put on a united front as they relaxed on ayacht in Corsica.
Photos show the couple relaxed while on a yacht in the Mediterranean. In one shot Albert lovingly wraps his arm around Charlene, while in another they sit side-by-side on the beach.
The couple, alongside their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, spent the summer on a yacht owned by Kazakh businessman Bulat Utemuratov.
Albert is the current head of the pocket-sized principality.
But it was the financial acumen of his father, Prince Rainier, that set Monaco on its current path to riches.
Together with his wife Princess Grace, formerly Hollywood’s Grace Kelly, they created one of the most unashamedly glamorous families on the planet – and a world combining high society with the high-octane thrill of the Monaco grand prix.
The royal couple went on to have two children, eight-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella (pictured at National Day 2022 at the Monaco Palace)
Princess Charlotte and Prince Albert of Monaco at their glittering 2011 wedding. The Princess, a former Olympic swimmer, had joined one of the most glamorous families in the world
Princess Charlene of Monaco with children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques
Charlene, Princess Consort of Monaco, dancing with husband Prince Albert at a Red Cross Ball
Today, Prince Albert and Princess Consort Charlene, mother of his two children, attract the attention of photographers whenever they step out in public.
But, the wealthy lifestyle is accompanied by a fair degree of drama.
Guests at the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011 could not help but notice that his bride, Charlene, cried through much of the ceremony. And they didn’t look like tears of joy.
Numerous photographs showed Charlene dabbing at her eyes, ignoring Albert’s audible entreaties to stop crying.
Charlene later proffered the explanation that she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the proceedings but her awkward demeanour added to rumours that the couple’s relationship was in trouble well before their wedding day.