Prince Albert of Monaco appears without Princess Charlene AGAIN

Prince Albert of Monaco has appeared without his wife Princess Charlene once again as he attended a rugby match with their children today.  

The royal was joined by the couple’s six-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Hereditary Prince Jacques to watch the World Rugby Sevens in Monaco – while Charlene is believed to still be in South Africa on a conservation trip. 

She has not been pictured publicly with her husband since late January. Charlene reportedly travelled to South Africa in mid-March, with Albert and their children flying to visit her two weeks ago. 

The former Olympian, who debuted a radical new hairstyle while on the trip, had been due to return to Monaco for the principality’s Grand Prix in May, where she was guest of honour.   

Prince Albert of Monaco has appeared without his wife Princess Charlene once again as he attended a rugby match with their children today 

The royal was joined by the couple's six-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Hereditary Prince Jacques to watch the World Rugby Sevens in Monaco

The royal was joined by the couple’s six-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Hereditary Prince Jacques to watch the World Rugby Sevens in Monaco

Princess Charlene of Monaco debuted a dramatic new shaved hairstyle on her recent conservation trip to South Africa. The photos were shared on her charity's Instagram account

Princess Charlene of Monaco debuted a dramatic new shaved hairstyle on her recent conservation trip to South Africa. The photos were shared on her charity’s Instagram account 

It is understood that Charlene, 43, remains in South Africa after being struck down with an ear, nose and throat infection ‘that does not allow her to travel’. 

Albert, 63, seemed in good spirits on the third day of the event today as he waved to the crowds before taking a walk on the pitch ahead of the match between France and Hong Kong. 

It’s been a tumultuous start to the year for the royal couple, after news emerged that Albert is facing a paternity suit over a love child born in the early years of their relationship. 

The palace was forced to comment on Charlene’s whereabouts ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix – which the prince attended with their children. 

Prince Albert is pictured ahead of the match during the third day of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Prince Albert is pictured ahead of the match during the third day of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Albert, 63, seemed in good spirits on the third day of the event today as he waved to royal watchers, before talking a walk on the pitch ahead of the match

Albert, 63, seemed in good spirits on the third day of the event today as he waved to royal watchers, before talking a walk on the pitch ahead of the match

The appearance comes as Prince Albert is embroiled in a high-profile paternity scandal. He is pictured enjoying the match with the twins this afternoon

 The appearance comes as Prince Albert is embroiled in a high-profile paternity scandal. He is pictured enjoying the match with the twins this afternoon

The prince, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have had a relationship with a Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter in 2005. He is pictured watching the game with Gabriella and Jacques

The prince, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have had a relationship with a Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter in 2005. He is pictured watching the game with Gabriella and Jacques

In a statement issued at the time, the Royal Palace said: ‘During a trip to the African continent as part of a wildlife conservation mission, SAS Princess Charlene contracted an ENT infection that does not allow her to travel.

‘Unfortunately, she will not be able to attend the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. SAS The Princess Charlene sends her best wishes to the Automobile Club of Monaco, organiser of the event, as well as to the drivers and teams involved in this great automobile competition.’

The prince, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have had a relationship with a Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter in 2005.

Albert and their children flew to visit Charlene two weeks ago. The family can be seen watching the game from the Royal Box today

Albert and their children flew to visit Charlene two weeks ago. The family can be seen watching the game from the Royal Box today 

It is understood that Charlene, 43, remains in South Africa after being struck down with an infection. Albert and the twins are pictured watching the match today

It is understood that Charlene, 43, remains in South Africa after being struck down with an infection. Albert and the twins are pictured watching the match today

Prince Albert can be seen as children in the Royal Box greet the team mascot at the match this afternoon

Prince Albert can be seen as children in the Royal Box greet the team mascot at the match this afternoon 

Albert is pictured giving an interview ahead of the match at the third day of the sporting event today

Albert is pictured giving an interview ahead of the match at the third day of the sporting event today 

The claim, which his lawyers dismissed as a ‘hoax’, is particularly painful as he was dating Charlene at the time, having met the former Olympic swimmer in 2000.

The 34-year-old claimant – who cannot be named for legal reasons – says she had a passionate affair with Albert, leading to the birth of their daughter – whose name is also classified – on July 4, 2005.

When did Princess Charlene travel to South Africa and when was she last seen with her husband? 

January 27 – Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco.  

March 18 – Charlene is pictured at the  memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa 

April 2 – Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter.

It is unknown where the image was taken.

May 8 – Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco

May 10 – Albert attends Monaco Gala Awards in Monaco 

May 18 – Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa 

June 1 – Prince Albert II, Jacques and Gabriella attend event at Oceanic Museum in Monaco 

June 3 – New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip 

June 5- Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece’s fifth birthday with her brother’s family and Albert and the twins. It is not known where the pictured was taken

Albert received a handwritten letter from the child, who is now 15, in September last year reading: ‘I don’t understand why I grew up without a father, and now that I have found you, you don’t want to see me.’

Legal papers were also filed, as lawyers for the claimant called on Albert to undergo a DNA test – just as he did before finally being identified as the father of two illegitimate children born in the 1990s and early 2000s. 

In January, Charlene spoke publicly for the first time since the allegations, telling Point de Vue: ‘When my husband has problems, he tells me about it. 

‘I often tell him, “No matter what, no matter what, I’m a thousand percent behind you. I’ll stand by you whatever you do, in good times or in bad.”

The mother-of-two went on to say she also often tells her husband she will ‘protect him’ and will ‘always be by his side.’ 

Earlier this month the royal debuted a dramatic new hairstyle in snaps shared on her charity’s Instagram page. 

Charlene, who was raised in South Africa and represented the country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, travelled to Thanda Safari in KwaZulu-Natal to learn more about being done by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa to help save rhinos from poachers. 

The princess took part in conservation operations including rhino monitoring and tracking, deployment with the Anti-Poaching Unit, educational wildlife photography sessions, and a White Rhino dart and dehorning exercise. 

Photos of Princess Charlene with the animals and rangers were shared on Instagram.

‘This entire experience moved me,’ Charlene said. ‘I connected with amazing people and spoke to the local trackers and anti-poaching units who all have an incredible passion for protecting our rhinos and environment.’

She continued: ‘It filled me with immense joy to reconnect with the African people and spirit again. 

‘I was fascinated to learn more about the area’s history and culture.

‘How fitting to rediscover my love for Africa at a place aptly named Thanda, meaning “love” in the Zulu language!’

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa has partnered with the Thanda Foundation Trust to help protect the rhinos.