CHARLENE FIGHTS BACK

FRIENDS OF THE PRINCESS ACCUSE THE PALACE OF PLAYING DOWN HER ILLNESS

-  Kylie Walters

Over the past year, Princess Charlene has withstood speculation on everything from the state of her marriage to her health after she was forced to spend over six months recuperating in her native South Africa due to a “severe sinus infection”. But after the latest round of attacks on the former Olympic swimmer, 43, appeared to come directly from the palace, those closest to the royal are no longer taking it lying down.

Just days after Charlene returned to Monaco on November 8, it was revealed the princess had again left the principality, which is located in the French Riviera, to undergo further medical treatment.

“[Charlene] was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life,’’ her husband, Prince Albert, 63, told WHO’s sister publication People magazine on November 19. “She hadn’t slept well in a number of days and she wasn’t eating at all well,’’ he added.

But a close friend of Charlene’s quickly hit back at the Monégasque ruler, slamming him for minimising the severity of his wife’s illness to the public. “It is unfair that [Charlene] is being portrayed as having some kind of mental or emotional issue,’’ the source told Page Six. “We don’t know why the palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa.’’

During her time away, Charlene continued to share images of her shrinking frame on social media, with her appearance stunning royal watchers. The snaps led to concern that the princess could be suffering from an eating disorder.