It’s not uncommon for a bride to shed a few tears on her wedding day. But when Charlene Wittstock made her way down the aisle to marry Prince Albert of Monaco, the Olympic swimmer appeared to sob as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, while the prince begged of her, “Don’t cry.”
The dramatic scenes followed days of reports that Charlene, now 43, had tried to flee the principality three times in the weeks leading up to the big day after Albert, 63, was hit with a paternity suit alleging he’d fathered a child during their relationship.
As the couple prepares to mark their milestone 10th wedding anniversary on July 1, Charlene’s life is still no fairytale. She has continued to be mired in scandal, with further rumours of Albert’s infidelity haunting her. Yet through all her heartache, Charlene has rarely shown emotion, leading to criticism she is too distant and stoic.
“People are very quick to say, ‘Oh, why isn’t she smiling in the photos?’” the princess acknowledged to South African magazine Huisgenoot. “Well, sometimes it’s hard to smile. They don’t know what’s going on in the background,” she explained.
Here, WHO looks at the life of the woman who’s become known as the “sad princess”.
A ROCKY START
This story is from the July 5, 2021 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 5, 2021 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TAKE IT SLOW
Anyone can be a runner with this back-to-basics approach to hitting the pavement
ADAM LAMBERT
THE POP STAR IS READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE ON THE VOICE
LIANE MORIARTY - 'Tell me your secrets'
LIES AND SCANDAL ARE ALL IN A DAY'S WORK FOR THE AUTHOR
DID SHE REALLY manifest SUCCESS?
THE SUPERSTAR SINGER - WITH A NOTABLE FAMILY LINK TO THE SIMPSONS - IS ON A REAL ROLL
Like mother, like daughter
INSIDE LILA'S MODELLING JOURNEY AND CLOSE CONNECTION TO HER MUM
ITALIAN FAMILY VACAY
WITH A NEW TOYBOY IN TOW, THE MATERIAL GIRL CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY IN STYLE
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
THE MY KITCHEN RULES HOSTS TELL WHO ABOUT THE BOND THEY HAVE THAT CAN'T BE FAKED
LUCY LETBY - 'SHE'S NOT INNOCENT!'
AS SOME CAMPAIGN TO FREE THE KILLER NURSE, A MUM PLEADS FOR THE QUESTIONS TO STOP
BREAK-UP OVER BEN?
SOURCES SPILL THAT THE STAR'S LOYALTY TO HER EX IS TAKING A TOLL ON HER RELATIONSHIP
Justin & Hailey WELCOME BABY JACK!
BABY BOOM - THE STARS SAY HELLO TO A HOST OF NEW ARRIVALS