Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco were recently pictured together as they hosted Monaco’s Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health. The rich and famous attended, names including Kate Beckinsale, Johnny Depp, and Helen Mirren. Officially hosted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the event gathered leading philanthropists, celebrities and scientists to launch the charity’s initiatives to bridge the widening gap between health and the environment.
Monaco’s most famous ball, The Rose Ball, was cancelled earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Planetary Health Gala avoided an outright cancellation as guests wore face masks and observed social distancing.
Monaco has become known for its glitzy and glamorous black tie events.
Charlene has become a point of particular public attention during these events as royal revellers anticipate what the Princess’ next outfit might be.
Albert and Charlene have been married for nine years, and have two children together.
The pair met in 2000 at an international swimming competition in Monaco.
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He explained: “Charlene and I met at the banquet that followed the international swimming competition.
“I then invited her to have a drink after dinner – it was a great moment.”
The pair hit it off, but the following morning, Charlene headed back to South Africa.
It was five years before either Albert or Charlene spoke again.
The hiatus was broken in 2005, following the death of Albert’s father, when Charlene called him to offer her condolences.
A few months later, in 2006, a photo of the couple together at the Turin Winter Olympics made front pages.
Five years later, Albert proposed to Charlene, with the pair married in front of huge crowds and a TV audience of 100 million.
At 33 years old, Charlene became not just the Princess of Monaco, but also a duchess four times over, a marchioness four times over, a countess seven, and a baroness nine times.
In marrying Albert, Charlene essentially married Monaco.
Before Charlene, reports constantly surfaced of Albert engaged in fleeting relationships with actresses and models from around the world.
Much controversy surrounded his younger days, where he was dubbed the ‘Party Prince’.
Albert had long given up his party days by 2005, the year in which ascended the throne.
