There were other people of the main table who were walking in with the family. I am not sure whether the entire table walked in at the same time, so if she was to be seated at their table it might have appeared odd for her to be sitting there already, while the rest walks in with the family.I'm sorry, but there appears to be four women in each photo?, and as you mention Charlene is once again distracted from what is going on in front of her and looking or staring at Albert as she has done in so many photos. Everyone watching the event at hand, except for Charlene, who seems to almost always have her eyes on Albert, while everyone else's attention is elsewhere? She seems to be the one without any kind of attention span that does not involve Albert's attention on her? This is what gives her the lost appearance. She is clearly out of her element. I'm sure she was sitting where she was, next to english speaking people, so it might be easier to have a conversation with someone? She still walks behind the family, but since she has appeared at other events walking in, in the same manner a few steps behind Albert since last year & people know by now who she is, I think they do not think she needs a minder (IMO). The awkwardness of this, is because she does not hold any position to walk in with the family, which is why she should not do it, even if Albert is not smart enough to see this. She should decline the invitation & join the family at the table. Most women I feel would not want to put themself in this very awkward position where you have the appearance of imposing oneself into a postion to where you do not belong? And would wait until, if the times comes, to walk in with the family with some intigrity, when one is in the position to do so? (JMO) I do not see the family being rude to her, she is a big girl, has been to many functions by now & she should be able to hold her own - If she ever becomes Albert's wife she will have to!
I think Caro had found a good solution while she was attending the ball with Vincent Lindon. They were seated at different tables, she walked in with the family and then went over to talk to him, just as people do who happen to be friends. Of course everyone knew that they were more then friends, but this way they could be together and at the same time he wouldn't be put in an awkward situation. Though considering his background, I don't think that he would have had the same problems as Charlene.