Albert and Charlene's Relationship

[maryellen1539]

Originally Posted by rosalee

Hi everyone!

I have friends who work in Monaco. It seems: Albert let Charlene go home last year, pack up her life slowly while pursuing her last race. This way she could dispose of things, say good-byes, and leave her old life quietly, etc ... without too many people going through her garbage, raiding her luggage in transit and stealing her mementos for storytelling purposes. With everyone thinking they had split up, who was going to bother with her anymore???

She MOVED to Monaco a few months ago and is slowly being ensconced into the lifestyle of PA's family. He bought her the car for her own autonomy. She no longer has one in SA. He has a budget for her public relations and clothes and she usually has a bodyguard now as well. She has quarters in the palace and an account with most stores, etc .. in Monaco. She is being allowed to get used to the paparazzi as a "commoner" which is hard and scrutinous enough .. while they enjoy one another's company and make some Life decisions without being under a more serious microscope. Something similar was done with other royal brides-to-be .. they just kept moving closer and closer to their new homes and spending more and more time becoming part of their new families!

Even with learning French ... I am sure something is going on in the background .. but she will ONLY use the language during her first official speech .. she would not need to speak in French before then. I have heard that she had a French teacher assigned to her back in SA?

She really cannot be training for the Olympics in Monaco ... she is out late, eating rich foods, smoking, drinking and hardly spends an hour a day at any pool!? She is done with the Olympics but it will be who she is until her role changes! What would we have them say, "she does nothing"?

Let's theorize that he might really like this woman ... enjoys her beauty and company as he sees her ... and even if we all perceive her to have great flaws, how noble of him to not notice a single one and love her anyway! :o)

R.

But is she converting to the Catholic church?

[Grace]

Originally Posted by rosalee

Hi everyone!

I have friends who work in Monaco. It seems: Albert let Charlene go home last year, pack up her life slowly while pursuing her last race. This way she could dispose of things, say good-byes, and leave her old life quietly, etc ... without too many people going through her garbage, raiding her luggage in transit and stealing her mementos for storytelling purposes. With everyone thinking they had split up, who was going to bother with her anymore???

She MOVED to Monaco a few months ago and is slowly being ensconced into the lifestyle of PA's family. He bought her the car for her own autonomy. She no longer has one in SA. He has a budget for her public relations and clothes and she usually has a bodyguard now as well. She has quarters in the palace and an account with most stores, etc .. in Monaco. She is being allowed to get used to the paparazzi as a "commoner" which is hard and scrutinous enough .. while they enjoy one another's company and make some Life decisions without being under a more serious microscope. Something similar was done with other royal brides-to-be .. they just kept moving closer and closer to their new homes and spending more and more time becoming part of their new families!

Even with learning French ... I am sure something is going on in the background .. but she will ONLY use the language during her first official speech .. she would not need to speak in French before then. I have heard that she had a French teacher assigned to her back in SA?

She really cannot be training for the Olympics in Monaco ... she is out late, eating rich foods, smoking, drinking and hardly spends an hour a day at any pool!? She is done with the Olympics but it will be who she is until her role changes! What would we have them say, "she does nothing"?

Let's theorize that he might really like this woman ... enjoys her beauty and company as he sees her ... and even if we all perceive her to have great flaws, how noble of him to not notice a single one and love her anyway! :o)

R.

Thank you for the interesting insight Rosalee; does this mean Charlene is living completely out of Albert's money or is she supporting herself somehow (she might have savings from her past career)?

BTW, Albert always struck me as more interested in sports, women and enjoying life than in culture, so I'm sure Charlene's lack of education is not an issue for him...it might be in future official meeting with world leaders, but after all, the quality of elected Presidents around the world tends to decrease, so they as well might be more interested in sports than in literature or history...

[paca]

Originally Posted by Grace

Thank you for the interesting insight Rosalee; does this mean Charlene is living completely out of Albert's money or is she supporting herself somehow (she might have savings from her past career)?

BTW, Albert always struck me as more interested in sports, women and enjoying life than in culture, so I'm sure Charlene's lack of education is not an issue for him...it might be in future official meeting with world leaders, but after all, the quality of elected Presidents around the world tends to decrease, so they as well might be more interested in sports than in literature or history...

Personally I think that Rosalee was making, like most of us here, assumptions about where the money comes from to support the lifestyle she is leading at present. And since she has a billionaire prince as a boyfriend, she assumed that he set her up. That is not information that anyone in the palace would reveal (if they are interested in their job) and that many people in the palace would have access to. THat is sth though that I don't think that Albert would do before he is married or engaged though, as he is horrified by attracting a woman only de to the lifestyle she might live through association with him. He has said so in several interviews to that matter and explained often enough that he some of the women he dated were more interested in that then him as a man. Just as other celebrities Charlene does not need an account with anyone to find a dress or jewellery for the evening. She can borrow it like people do in Hollywood and elsewhere when they are invited. She will be photographed with Albert and that enough opens her the doors and vaults. As to the Audi, rereading what she is supposed to have said about the car, sounds like she has never driven here, as she is talking about narrow and steep roads. Well, most roads in Monaco are neither and when you go outside of Monaco where there really are narrow and steep roads, her car would actually prove too big to be any fun driving especially since you are not allowed and not able to go fast in those roads. Anyways I think that Rosalee was trying to unite Charlenes lifestyle with the limited means she has due to lack of present or past employment. Please note that she wrote "it seems" after mentioning that she has friends working in Monaco. Apparently people immediately assumed that these friends have direct access to details from the palace.
IMO Albert takes care of food and housing as it is already there and does not cost him extra. When they travel, he is using his plane and helicopter and there is enough space for her to squeeze in as is in the hotelsuits etc. Clothes and jewellery is borrowed IMO (she recently apparently wore a dress that Steph has been wearing before) So there is not much left she would have to pay for. At least nothing that a salesclerks income wouldn't cover (she could do with less since she is surely not paying rent anywhere), besides even if Albert isn't there, his friends would not let her pay for herself. So honestly, she does not need to earn a single cent to live the life she leads at present.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by maryellen1539

But is she converting to the Catholic church?

My guess is that she very well could be in the process of converting. If she is going to marry Albert(and this is not at all clear yet)she will have to convert.

But the process of conversion is something deeply personal. I am certain it would not be appropriate to announce this without first having an official annnouncement of her engagement-if there is one.

The same with learning to speak French. I see no reason to advertise this right now at all.

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by paca

Rosalee, one question though. You claim that Albert bought her a car. Why would he buy her an Audi sportscar instead of a Hybrid car which he is driving and promoting himself.

Maybe he bought her one of Audi's new biodiesel cars, which is even more state-of-the-art (in the go-go-Green auto industry) than his hybrid Lexus.
It's just a thought, though.

[paca]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

Maybe he bought her one of Audi's new biodiesel cars, which is even more state-of-the-art (in the go-go-Green auto industry) than his hybrid Lexus.
It's just a thought, though.

The Audi sportcar that she is advertising and claiming as hers is if I am not mistaken not one of them and in any case it has been said no where that Albert bought her a car. He didn't even pay for his OWN new car, so why would he bother being her one, when she can get it for free? Besides I know for a fact from a friend who handles insurance cases for new cars, that the majority of people who are only slightly touched by media light in Germany (and Audi is a German car company) are driving the newest cars for free. Insurance and car costs are being handled by the company, they only have to pay the gaz. Siemens also used to handle their mobile phones that way. The important thing for them was that the person was being seen in their circles with the product and thus interesting people in buying them.

[sandsla]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

Oh God..I have read almost everything in print about the late Diana Spencer. SHE FAILED ALL HER O LEVELS. And then quit finishing school at L'Institute Alpin Videmanette in Switzerland because she was homesick!

She spent her first State dinner on her honeymoon with Anwar and Mme Sadat yapping about "mangoes" in reply to any and all conversation the Presidential couple attempted to have with her, according to one of her biographers.

I have no opinion on whether or not this constitutes "necessary education" for a young woman of her social background and class.

Great Example, that ended well didn't it! Thanks for confirming our point!

[Jaya]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

My guess is that she very well could be in the process of converting. If she is going to marry Albert(and this is not at all clear yet)she will have to convert.

But the process of conversion is something deeply personal. I am certain it would not be appropriate to announce this without first having an official annnouncement of her engagement-if there is one.

The same with learning to speak French. I see no reason to advertise this right now at all.

My knowledge is that conversion is made public knowledge by decree by the Vatican and so is dispensation.So I do not belive that CW has reached that stage yet.......Conversion is more public especially when you are converting to marry a "Prince."Cw's learnedness inLatin and Greek will come in handy now....Kyrie Eleison
The same goes with learning Sanskrit.There is no reason to advertise linguistic capabilties JMO

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by sandsla

Great Example, that ended well didn't it! Thanks for confirming our point!

I don't think the two cases are especially comparable. Diana took a few O-levels, failed the lot, stayed on at school long enough to retake a couple of them, failed them again, and left school to drift till she found herself a suitable man (unfortunately she ended up with an unsuitable one, but that's another story). Charlene did what a lot of young athletes do and chose her athletic career over an academic one, and she left school in order to train as a sportswoman, ultimately becoming fairly successful. While neither course of action gives a person a good intellectual or cultural grounding, training to international standard as an athlete requires qualities such as confidence, dedication, staying power, and self-discipline; it also requires ambition and competitiveness. Some of which seem to be in evidence now during her relationship with Albert.

[paca]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

I don't think the two cases are especially comparable. Diana took a few O-levels, failed the lot, stayed on at school long enough to retake a couple of them, failed them again, and left school to drift till she found herself a suitable man (unfortunately she ended up with an unsuitable one, but that's another story). Charlene did what a lot of young athletes do and chose her athletic career over an academic one, and she left school in order to train as a sportswoman, ultimately becoming fairly successful. While neither course of action gives a person a good intellectual or cultural grounding, training to international standard as an athlete requires qualities such as confidence, dedication, staying power, and self-discipline; it also requires ambition and competitiveness. Some of which seem to be in evidence now during her relationship with Albert.

On the other hand one could say that Charlene drifted as well since at least 2002 when she was injured (apparently the first major) of which she never really recovered with regards to her sportive carreer. So maybe her staying power and self discipline are not as great as people assume. I think most people compare Charlenes athletics performances with their own and are thus blinded by it. But I think to really estimate whether she has that determination, mental strength etc which it takes for athletes to win medals and become successful, we would have to compare her with her peers, meaning athletes who have been injured and came back with an impressive performance. Looking at Charlene, She had a go at the Olympics, got close to a medal in the relay (not on her own mind you and those who know sth about sports know that a relay is completely different, already psychologically) and after that things went downhill for her, which is at that age unusual as she should have been in her prime and rebound rather quickly from an injury. Also we need to remember that she has not really had to withstand media storms like others did. Personally I think that Camilla has shown the most staying power (and discretion as if there wouldn't have beend phone tapes we wouldn't have known anything about her) as her whole life was dragged into the gutter, she was the most hated person in her country and still, did not say a word or leave. And now look at her. Also Grace had to show staying power. She left early in her marriage, but Rainier went after her and she decided to come back and showed them all. Charlene has faced so far only positive media response and encouragement. Anyone can handle that. It is when the going get's tough that she would have to show whether she can handle it. And frankly, I don't think she would be able to as IMO she is too much into approval of others. Besides we know that other women in Alberts life were there much longer and much more discreet at the time.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by sandsla

Great Example, that ended well didn't it! Thanks for confirming our point!

My point was that despite of her lack of formal education she went on to become one of the most popular and accomplished princesses of the modern age.

Is that what you meant by confirming the point? Yes. I agree.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

I don't think the two cases are especially comparable. Diana took a few O-levels, failed the lot, stayed on at school long enough to retake a couple of them, failed them again, and left school to drift till she found herself a suitable man (unfortunately she ended up with an unsuitable one, but that's another story). Charlene did what a lot of young athletes do and chose her athletic career over an academic one, and she left school in order to train as a sportswoman, ultimately becoming fairly successful. While neither course of action gives a person a good intellectual or cultural grounding, training to international standard as an athlete requires qualities such as confidence, dedication, staying power, and self-discipline; it also requires ambition and competitiveness. Some of which seem to be in evidence now during her relationship with Albert.

Elspeth-

Thanks for stating what I attempted to, better than I did.

[libra65]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

My guess is that she very well could be in the process of converting. If she is going to marry Albert(and this is not at all clear yet)she will have to convert.

But the process of conversion is something deeply personal. I am certain it would not be appropriate to announce this without first having an official annnouncement of her engagement-if there is one.

The same with learning to speak French. I see no reason to advertise this right now at all.

Why would she have to convert to marry Albert? My mother was Episcopalian and my parents had a valid Catholic marriage. She had to go thru the Pre-Cana classes, marry in the Catholic church, and agree to raise her children as Catholic. She did all of that & her marriage was always deemed a valid Catholic marriage.

Charlene would have to convert if they wanted to be up on the altar in the church during the ceremony. If she doesn't convert, they would stand at the head of the main aisle at the base of the altar steps.

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by paca

On the other hand one could say that Charlene drifted as well since at least 2002 when she was injured (apparently the first major) of which she never really recovered with regards to her sportive carreer. So maybe her staying power and self discipline are not as great as people assume. I think most people compare Charlenes athletics performances with their own and are thus blinded by it. But I think to really estimate whether she has that determination, mental strength etc which it takes for athletes to win medals and become successful, we would have to compare her with her peers, meaning athletes who have been injured and came back with an impressive performance.

I'm sure we would, if we were talking simply about professional athletes, but I wasn't making comparisons between world-class athletes and each other, I was comparing Charlene with Diana. Diana had a history of either failing or running away from challenges as a girl and a young woman, and she didn't achieve anything until she married Charles and became a media sensation. Charlene had a quite different early life; whether she was less focused or less dedicated than other Olympic athletes isn't relevant to a discussion about the similarities and differences between Charlene and Diana.

[paca]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

I'm sure we would, if we were talking simply about professional athletes, but I wasn't making comparisons between world-class athletes and each other, I was comparing Charlene with Diana. Diana had a history of either failing or running away from challenges as a girl and a young woman, and she didn't achieve anything until she married Charles and became a media sensation. Charlene had a quite different early life; whether she was less focused or less dedicated than other Olympic athletes isn't relevant to a discussion about the similarities and differences between Charlene and Diana.

But isn't that what Charlene is doing as well? Failing and running away and now being a media attraction and just like her enjoying it and using the media? I don't see so much difference between the two including Charlene practicing her wounded deer look for the pics and the preference for dark eyeliner. I get more and more the impression that she is trying for a mix of Grace and Diana, both highly mediatised.

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by paca

The Audi sportcar that she is advertising and claiming as hers is if I am not mistaken not one of them and in any case it has been said no where that Albert bought her a car. He didn't even pay for his OWN new car, so why would he bother being her one, when she can get it for free? Besides I know for a fact from a friend who handles insurance cases for new cars, that the majority of people who are only slightly touched by media light in Germany (and Audi is a German car company) are driving the newest cars for free. Insurance and car costs are being handled by the company, they only have to pay the gaz. Siemens also used to handle their mobile phones that way. The important thing for them was that the person was being seen in their circles with the product and thus interesting people in buying them.

I know about celebrities and freebies, paca. I was only offering a suggestion for hibou's comment.

[sandsla]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

My point was that despite of her lack of formal education she went on to become one of the most popular and accomplished princesses of the modern age.

Is that what you meant by confirming the point? Yes. I agree.

No, It's not - I meant, "that ended well, Didn't it?"
I think that is what my post said?

I'm sorry, I am not of the same opinion of your post above, but I do agree you showed in your previous post, why a little education & maturity could go a long way. I think we will have to agree to disagree and that we are of very different minds.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by libra65

Why would she have to convert to marry Albert? My mother was Episcopalian and my parents had a valid Catholic marriage. She had to go thru the Pre-Cana classes, marry in the Catholic church, and agree to raise her children as Catholic. She did all of that & her marriage was always deemed a valid Catholic marriage.

Charlene would have to convert if they wanted to be up on the altar in the church during the ceremony. If she doesn't convert, they would stand at the head of the main aisle at the base of the altar steps.

Monaco is a very Catholic principality. The Constitution states that only children of a "valid Catholic marriage" can ascend the throne. So unless Albert
and Charlene's children will not be eligible for accession, she will need to convert. However you are very correct...it is very possible that CW and PA could have a Catholic/Protestant ceremony...I just don't see it happening at all.

The Principality and the House of Grimaldi have had close ties to the Papacy for centuries.

Monaco has never had a non-Catholic Princess. I can't imagine that Charlene wants to be the first.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by sandsla

No, It's not - I meant, "that ended well, Didn't it?"
I think that is what my post said?

I'm sorry, I am not of the same opinion of your post above, but I do agree you showed in your previous post, why a little education & maturity could go a long way. I think we will have to agree to disagree and that we are of very different minds.

We may not be as different as you think. Of course I think it would be magnificent for Albert to choose a well-eductated and well-rounded woman for his consort. I think Rania of Jordan is the quintessential Queen, beautiful, elegant YET brilliant and with a social conscience.

The fact is, Albert has never been attracted to bookish females, or even women like his sister Caroline(introverted, brainy) And for all his talk of his late mother being his feminine ideal, he has never seemed attracted to women like Grace Kelly either, except physically.

Charlene apparently is quite rough around the edges but none of those rough edges are in my opinion incapable of being smoothed out. If an unwed mother
and former girlfriend of a convicted criminal can be spruced up to be Norway's future Queen, an under-educated Olympic swimmer can certainly be transformed into an acceptable Princess for an aging playboy with enough baggage to sink a luxury liner...that's all I'm trying to say here.

[Freedom]

Hello. I've been away from a computer & the internet for about 10 days. Has anything officially progressed with Albert and Charlene?

Thanks & regards.