Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Lifestyle
Jenny Proudfoot

Princess Charlene reportedly tried to escape Monaco three times in the run up to her wedding to Prince Albert

Princess Charlene

Princess Charlene is one of the most talked-about women in the world, and from her marriage to Prince Albert of Monaco to her days as an Olympic swimmer, she never fails to get the world talking.

This week the royal couple has returned to the headlines as they celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary, with royal fans sharing memories and anecdotes from their 2011 nuptials.

While the royal couple's wedding provided many happy memories to look back on, it also proved controversial, with Princess Charlene rumoured to have tried to escape in its run-up.

According to reports, Princess Charlene tried to escape Monaco three times in the run-up to their July wedding, but was stopped every time.

The first attempt reportedly took place after news broke that Prince Albert had a love child conceived during his relationship with Charlene.

The now Princess of Monaco was reportedly at a bridal gown fitting in Paris when the news broke the May before their wedding, and according to Le Journal du Dimanche, she "took refuge" in the South African embassy.

The second and third alleged attempts reportedly took place in Monaco, the first during the 2010 Grand Prix and apparently resulting in her passport being confiscated by Prince Albert’s entourage.

The third alleged escape attempt reportedly took place two days before their July wedding. According to Le Journal du Dimanche, Princess Charlene booked a one-way ticket home to South Africa but was intercepted on her way to Nice and persuaded to stay for the three-day wedding.

Getty Images

While the couple did tie the knot in a lavish three-day wedding (apparently costing around £53 million), the press reported that Princess Charlene cried openly throughout the day.

There are even reports that the couple spent their wedding night in separate rooms, with Charlene’s guarded.

"None of this is true, and we think it comes from utter jealousy," The Palace responded in a statement via People at the time.

We will continue to update this story.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.