After a year of intrigue, Princess Charlene of Monaco makes first public appearance

Princess Charlene never fails to make headlines, from her life as an Olympic swimmer, becoming the Princess of Monaco, to entering a treatment facility in South Africa for several months, and more recently, returning to the public eye alongside her family and sporting a chic new haircut.

After a year of stepping away from her public duties to recover from “extreme exhaustion,” the 44-year-old royal stood with her husband, Prince Albert, 64, and their 7-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella, at the Monaco E Prix race on Saturday, April 30.

For the event, Charlene unveiled her new platinum blonde, modelesque, pixie cut. She wore an oversized grey suit with the blazer buttoned closed, while her trousers featured a modern slit detail that reach mid-calf, at the front of her pant leg.

Keeping things simple, the royal’s make-up was fresh and neutral, opting for a shimmery smokey eye and a subtle rosy cheek, giving her a healthy glow. For accessories, the Princess wore a pair of simple diamond stud earrings and her shimmering diamond engagement ring.

Her son, Prince Jacques, appeared to coordinate with his mother, wearing a similar grey suit with a white button-up and black sneakers.

Prince Albert beamed in his dark navy blue suit jacket and khaki pants, coordinating with his daughter, Princess Gabriella, who wore a flowy white dress and a navy blue cardigan and matching strappy sandals.

While the E Prix in itself is an exciting event, signifying the beginning of Monaco’s racing season, the day also marks an important milestone for the royal family, their first public appearance as a united front since Charlene’s absence last spring.

While the Princess took to social media over the Easter weekend to share a family portrait their appearance at the E Prix is the family’s first public outing since the Princess’s return.

In May 2021, the Princess was in South Africa raising awareness around rhino poaching when she contracted an ear, nose and throat infection (ENT). At the time, the Palace of Monaco released a statement saying the Princess would not be allowed to travel while infected.

Though she was late reunited with her husband in November, the Prince had announced that his wife was still undergoing health issues and was being treated for emotional and physical exhaustion.

The “invisible Princess” however did break her silence to publicly wish her two children, a happy birthday, as the twins celebrated their seventh birthday without her.

One month later, the Palace of Monaco released another statement updating her health and explained that the Princess would remain absent from local festivities, explaining her recovery would take “several weeks” at the Swiss clinic.

She was later released from the facility in March 2022 after a four-month-long stay.