Inside Princess Charlene’s scandal-hit marriage as she’s ‘paid £10m a YEAR to stay’ – wedding tears to love children
SHE's a stunning ex-Olympic swimmer and he's the son of Hollywood icon Grace Kelly, born into royalty - on paper, Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco's marriage was the stuff of fairy tales.
But since their elaborate £53million wedding 10 years ago - described at the time as the nation's "biggest party in 55 years" - the couple have been dogged by scandal.
Rival publication Belgium also reported that Albert “would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events”.
Royals in Monaco don’t receive a salary, meaning the princess is most likely reliant on her billionaire husband.
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A Monte Carlo-based royal insider told : “Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.
“She’s been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.”
Previously, Charlene, 43, spent six months in South Africa battling an ear, nose and throat infection, having travelled there for her philanthropic and conservation work, and missed her 10th wedding anniversary and their children's first day at school.
Her departure was rumoured to have coincided with a rift with her husband, 63, amid allegations he cheated, but Albert has insisted there are no problems within their relationship.
Charlene subsequently admitted to feeling "very lonely" in Monaco.
A source told the Paris-based news magazine VSD: “Charlene will have to produce a legitimate heir. It’s the main reason for this peculiar marriage.
"Once the succession of the dynasty is assured, each of them can be free again.
"Divorce is a tradition in the Grimaldi family.”
While the couple do have an heir in the form of their six-year-old twins, they are yet to divorce.
But they live relatively separate lives - with Charlene said to prefer living in a flat above a chocolate shop to the royal palace, and Prince Albert pictured carrying out royal engagements alone.
Dramatic hairdo
In December, Charlene debuted a dramatic new "French crop" shaved hairstyle, which was met with mixed reactions - even from her husband.
Defending the bold do, she said: “Certainly, of all the members of royal families, I'm probably the one who has tried the most different hairstyles, and I'll continue. That's my choice.
“After the initial surprise wore off, the prince understood and likes it now too."
Not long after she showed off her buzzcut for the first time, it emerged Albert was facing his latest paternity suit.
In May, Charlene travelled to South Africa to raise awareness of rhino poaching at Thanda Safari in KwaZulu-Natal, but didn't return for six months.
She told a TV channel: "It's been a trying time for me. I miss my husband and children dearly.
"What has been extremely difficult for me was when I was instructed by my medical team that I could not return home for my 10th wedding anniversary.
It's been a trying time for me
Princess Charlene of Monaco
"Albert is my rock and strength and without his love and support I would not have been able to get through this painful time."
While there are concerns for their relationship, the biggest concern recently has been for Charlene herself, who was admitted to hospital in September after collapsing and has been pictured looking worryingly frail.
Charlene went on to rest at an unknown treatment facility outside of Monaco, with Albert adamant that things are fine between him and his wife.
He said: "I'm probably going to say this several times, but this has nothing to do with our relationship.
"These are not problems within our relationship; not with the relationship between a husband and wife. It's of a different nature."
There had been murmurs that these latest woes were proof of the curse which claims “never will a Grimaldi find true happiness in marriage”.
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Legend has it Prince Rainier I abducted a Flemish woman in the 13th century, who cursed him and all his descendants.
It remains to be seen if Prince Albert and Princess Charlene will be able to break its chains.