Princess Charlene has been at the centre of speculation recently after health issues that have caused her to be absent from Monaco. The Princess left to go to South Africa in May 2021 with the intention to stay for just ten to twelve days to visit family and friends. After picking up an ear, nose, and throat infection (ENT), Charlene was "grounded" in the country for over six months.

       After returning for just a few days, the palace announced that Charlene had left Monaco once again for unknown treatment in a private facility.

       An expert in European monarchy, Maddalena Mastrostefano told Express.co.uk that "people will start to resent the institution" if the palace remains secretive about Princess Charlene's health issues.

       Ms Mastrostefano said: "It's not cancer, it's not COVID So we know that it's not those things.

       "But there's still a million possibilities in that ream, it leaves from everything from some kind of other illness to mental illness to eating disorders to anything really.

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       "And the fact that it has not been explained, like hiding behind the curtain of, she needs privacy, she needs rest.

       "I think people are really starting to wonder why are we even doing this?

       "I think if this continues longer, I think people are really starting are really going to start to resent the institution altogether.

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       "Not only is she not performing her duties, but everyone else is covering for her."

       The Princess has worried the Monegasque people after her quick exit from Monaco after returning from South Africa.

       Friends have jumped to the Princess' defence, with sources telling Page Six: "It is unfair that she is being portrayed as having some kind of mental or emotional issue.

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       They added: "We don't know why the palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa.

       "She has not been able to eat solid food in over six months because of all the surgeries she has since gone through.

       "She has only been able to take in liquids through a straw, so she lost nearly half her body weight."

       It is unknown when Princess Charlene will return to Monaco.