MONACO PRINCESS' BRAVE NEW WORLD

Troubled Charlene's health & marriage seem on the mend

MONACO'S fragile CharM Princess lene appears on the mend after a first solo public outing without being under the watchful eye of skirt-chasing hubby Prince Albert.

The 44-year-old former South African Olympic backstroker seemed perky as she visited Monaco's Princess Grace Hospital, named for Albert's actress-mom, Grace Kelly, with a few senior palace aides, touring the maternity ward and chatting with parents.

The July 4 visit was her first solo outing following a handful of appearances with Albert, 64, since May and after a long stay at a Swiss clinic for "physical and emotional exhaustion," according to her hubby.