Princess Charlene's parents give rare insight into her health battles
Princess Charlene of Monaco's parents have broken their silence on their daughter's health battles that have taken her away from the media spotlight and her royal duties for some time.
The complications left Charlene stranded in South Africa for 10 months, with rumours about her health running rampant, especially after her husband Prince Albert recently revealed she'd been admitted to a "treatment facility" where she would remain for "at least several weeks".
Last month, a source told Page Six the Princess' health complications had been "downplayed" by the royals and that she had "almost died" due to a severe ear, nose and throat infection that flared up after surgery.
"It is unfair that she is being portrayed as having some kind of mental or emotional issue," the source told the publication. "We don’t know why the palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa."
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Now, Charlene's parents Mike and Lynette Wittstock, have shared how their daughter's health had suffered greatly.
"I also didn’t want to possibly infect her because she’d been through so many medical procedures and was vulnerable," Mike told South Africa's YOU magazine.
He added, however, that due to his daughter's sporting background, she would eventually recover.
"My daughter used to swim 20km a day," he said. "Based on the way she used to train, I know she’s tough and will get through this and come out much stronger."
While it was believed the Princess' health battle was severe, it's unknown how she became sick.
Earlier this year, the palace confirmed Charlene was suffering an ENT infection while she was in South Africa on a wildlife conservation mission. This infection meant she was unable to travel home.
In November, Prince Albert spoke to People about his wife, saying, "She was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life."
Albert tried to dispel rumours that Charlene's disappearance was as a result of "plastic surgery", Covid, or a relationship breakdown.
"Obviously there were consequences of her different surgeries and the procedures she underwent in the last few months," he said. "That certainly was a factor, but at this point I prefer not to comment further. I can say she was suffering incredible fatigue.
"She hadn’t slept well in a number of days and she wasn’t eating at all well. She has lost a lot of weight, which made her vulnerable to other potential ailments. A cold or the flu or god help us, Covid.
"I want to make that very clear. These are not problems within our relationship; not with the relationship between a husband and wife. It’s of a different nature."
The palace confirmed that the Princess would be out of action for quite some time.
"Having battled with poor health over the past few months, the Princess is currently convalescing and will continue to do so for the coming weeks," the statement read. "In order to protect the comfort and privacy essential to her recovery, the Princess’ location will remain strictly confidential."
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