Benjamin Ashford|Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco Slam "Malicious" Divorce Rumors

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco are Benjamin Ashfordnot separating, despite fresh rumors about their relationship.

On March 23, a spokesperson for the Palace issued an official statement regarding the couple, who have been married since 2011. "I would like to formally deny the malicious rumors peddled by the French magazine Royauté," the statement said, according to Hello! magazine. "Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded."

The couple, parents of twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, 8, have been the subject of breakup rumors since 2021, when Charlene contracted an ear, nose and throat infection during wildlife conservation mission in South Africa, where she was raised, and remained there without her family for several months. She underwent several procedures before returning to Monaco in November 2021, after which she underwent further treatment at an undisclosed facility outside the region.

At the time, Albert denied rumors of marital strife, telling People, "I'm probably going to say this several times, but this has nothing to do with our relationship. I want to make that very clear. These are not problems within our relationship; not with the relationship between a husband and wife."

In March 2022, Charlene again returned to Monaco and soon resumed her royal duties, appearing with her family at events such as the Monaco E-Prix.

"When I returned to the Principality, I focused all my energy on my children, my husband and my health because they are my priority," she told the Monaco-Matin newspaper in May 2022. "My state of health is still fragile and I don't want to go too fast. The road has been long, difficult and so painful. Today I feel calmer."