Albert and Charlene's Relationship

[paca]

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!

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 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.

 

[sandsla]

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 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.

That is what I meant, for her to walk in with everbody else who is not part of the immediate family, or however she wants to enter without drawing too much attention to herself? I'm sorry I thought I said joined them at their table, if that is where she is going to be sitting? The Caro scenerio or something similar is what I meant. It is hard to say what he intends with her, because of how he handles the relationship with her, but he openly invites the marriage speculation, even if it is true & that is what he intends - they have both handled it badly. He seems to have done just the opposite if he was hoping this would make her popular. Again, I think it is because they have imposed her in a position that she does not belong publically (among many other things). He seems not to mind the rumors any more, not that I think this means anything, except Albert does not handle PR or protocol well? Anyway, If I were her I would avoid the patheticness of it all & want to appear with some grace. (JMO)

 

[pinklady1991]

Is it me or is there something about the Red Cross Ball that makes Albert treat Charlene badly? Last year, she was spirited either to Paris or back to South Africa the day after the ball and on the way there she saw the infamous yacht girl photos. This year, Albert, for whatever reason, left her there alone. Does anyone else think this is strange behaviour for a couple who, true or not, seem to be on the verge of announcing their engagement? Does anyone else think this could be a test to see if Charlene could manage in that environment without Albert? Thoughts?

 

[CasiraghiTrio]

Actually this has already been said many times & I agree, But Charlene has not made an effort in any way to educate herself, even with the possible position she might find herself in? I don't want to rewrite it, but you can refer to my past posts in which I make reference to this issue (just a few days ago). I want to add something that I don't remember mentioning, and that is at the time of Charlene's Olympic performance, where Charlene is not just representing herself, but her country. Her country especially, could have used some much needed attention that she could have provided in some small way, when she was in the position to do that. She did nothing! So it is hard for me to see her as someone who has any interest in bringing anything to Monaco? Other than her appearance? She is almost 30 & we are still waiting for her to sing? It wouldn't be so bad if she had not been promoting herself at every turn, when she has nothing to promote.

She cannot do both though, or else I am missing something (not the first time). She could represent her native country at the Olympics, or focus on her (potential) future with Albert and Monaco, according to your theory. If she is competing in the Olympics, representing South Africa, that is a separate thing from being Prince Albert of Monaco's official escort. I don't understand how competing for South Africa can translate to contributing to Monaco. Just going along with your theory, it would seem that she is putting over-emphasis on Albert and Monaco, at the cost of her own life, which is bad for many reasons, but I imagine she is choosing this because she thinks it is the fastest track to Princess of Monaco. It would seem (judging from Albert's and his sisters' behavior towards her) that she is badly wrong, that in fact they want and expect her to have her own life.
Considering all of this and especially the recent posts about the Red Cross gala, I am now thinking that it is better for Charlene to go about her life almost as if Albert is not part of it, to go back to her Olympic training, because if he truly loves her, he will pursue her. She seems to be pursuing him, and he is backing away, and his sisters are giving her the cold shoulder. No?

 

[Ghislaine]

Is it me or is there something about the Red Cross Ball that makes Albert treat Charlene badly? Last year, she was spirited either to Paris or back to South Africa the day after the ball and on the way there she saw the infamous yacht girl photos. This year, Albert, for whatever reason, left her there alone. Does anyone else think this is strange behaviour for a couple who, true or not, seem to be on the verge of announcing their engagement? Does anyone else think this could be a test to see if Charlene could manage in that environment without Albert? Thoughts?

IIRC, you confusing two exits of Charlene. Last year, she left the Saturday after the Red Cross ball and the photos of her looking at the tabloid cover were on a Monday. The ball was on the 4th of August last year, so Charlene left on the 5th (only to return pretty quick) and Polfoto has the photos of Charlene and magazine dated as 4 September 2006. I couldn't find the 'paparazzo' photos of Charlene leaving on the 5th of August anymore.

She cannot do both though, or else I am missing something (not the first time). She could represent her native country at the Olympics, or focus on her (potential) future with Albert and Monaco, according to your theory. If she is competing in the Olympics, representing South Africa, that is a separate thing from being Prince Albert of Monaco's official escort. I don't understand how competing for South Africa can translate to contributing to Monaco. Just going along with your theory, it would seem that she is putting over-emphasis on Albert and Monaco, at the cost of her own life, which is bad for many reasons, but I imagine she is choosing this because she thinks it is the fastest track to Princess of Monaco. It would seem (judging from Albert's and his sisters' behavior towards her) that she is badly wrong, that in fact they want and expect her to have her own life.
Considering all of this and especially the recent posts about the Red Cross gala, I am now thinking that it is better for Charlene to go about her life almost as if Albert is not part of it, to go back to her Olympic training, because if he truly loves her, he will pursue her. She seems to be pursuing him, and he is backing away, and his sisters are giving her the cold shoulder. No?

You have a point there. Not exactly a credible appearance, representing SA if you live 24/7 in Monaco. But Charlene has worked herselft in a awkward situation there anyway, whatever she does. All her big mouth stories about wanting to represent SA during the Olympics, but not showing up at one single event to do exactly that at a competition. (I'm not even mentioning qualifying here). All that talk about SA doesn't really help her credibility if she suddenly receives Monegasque nationality.

And even if she should qualify and get picked to swim for SA during the Olympics and then turns Monegasque quite soon after, it will look like she swam only for SA because she couldn't do anything else. Not because she wanted to represent the country.There are more arguments, but if ever a nationality change takes place, Charlene won't look good. She's put herself in a lose-lose situation (again!) imo.

 

[sandsla]

She cannot do both though, or else I am missing something (not the first time). She could represent her native country at the Olympics, or focus on her (potential) future with Albert and Monaco, according to your theory. If she is competing in the Olympics, representing South Africa, that is a separate thing from being Prince Albert of Monaco's official escort. I don't understand how competing for South Africa can translate to contributing to Monaco. Just going along with your theory, it would seem that she is putting over-emphasis on Albert and Monaco, at the cost of her own life, which is bad for many reasons, but I imagine she is choosing this because she thinks it is the fastest track to Princess of Monaco. It would seem (judging from Albert's and his sisters' behavior towards her) that she is badly wrong, that in fact they want and expect her to have her own life.
Considering all of this and especially the recent posts about the Red Cross gala, I am now thinking that it is better for Charlene to go about her life almost as if Albert is not part of it, to go back to her Olympic training, because if he truly loves her, he will pursue her. She seems to be pursuing him, and he is backing away, and his sisters are giving her the cold shoulder. No?

I couldn't agree more with the highlighted statements!
Actually, I think you are missing somethingI meant back in 2000 when she was the 5th place finisher in the relay at the 2000 Olympics, to use NotAprentender's phrasing ".... Charlene does not appear to be driven by altruistic motives advancing any charitable causes....", if she was, that might have been a good time to do something to bring attention to South Africa, like many people from others countries have done for her country. Many Olympic athletes start foundations & use whatever celebrity they have to draw attention to a cause, or are charitable in some way. I do not see Charlene as having an altruistic nature? She seems quite self-envolved? I guess I am confused in what you thought she could bring to Monaco? Charlene has spent the last year and a half claiming publically, that she is training for 2008 Olympics? Instead she seems to be promoting herself in photo-ops & interviews, and is mostly socializing it would seem? Actually, I don't see why she can't do both? Date Albert & have her own life, retaining her own identity? She claims to be? Most women do! Grace filmed another movie after being engaged to Rainier? It sounds like we are maybe on the same page in some way? And you thought I was saying she can't do both? I do think that she seems to be quite limited & a simple girl? - I couldn't agree more about whether or not she has a formal education, Bill Gates dopped out of college as did many? I have many brilliant friends that are self taught & quite evolved. But sadly I do not think this describes Charlene. She did seem out of her element at the Ball, and doesn't have the ability to socialize or engage other people. She appears to be a bit juvenile? Anyway as I said I talked about this in a post in the last few weeks, if you are still confused at what I am saying? I am sorry but she does not appear to be a very interesting woman. (IMO)

I think by the time the Red Cross Ball rolls around, she may have become tiresome to Albert & his sisters, and has worn out her welcome, especially if she does not keep a life of her own and is relying on Albert, one can be quite boring or annoying after awhile? Who knows?

 

[royal pauper]

I still don't understand why we are wasting so much time trying to find some reasoning in the way Charlene behaves and if she will ever be competent to be anything more than an escort. For God's sake she isn't some 20 year old girl just emerging from a high school into social scene. Charlene is 30 year old woman and she is who she is/will be already.
This is a woman who until a couple of years ago had spent her life in and around a pool, dressed in bathing-suit and jump-suits, surrounded with easy going sports people, sleeping in a cheap hotels/motels and eating in canteens. Almost over night she has been catapulted into a high society, sleeping in luxurious hotels and eating in fancy restaurants.
No wonder that she has no clue how to behave, and most importantly what to say when around people outside of her swimming domain. She's never tried to expend her education neither in a formal way nor by a self-education. This is a woman who doesn't have any interests outside of sports and is not able to have any kind of conversation. That is apparent when you sit her at the table with people outside of her comfort zone. If I remember correctly she didn't have any problems talking to her fellow swimmer Massimo at the dinner in Rome.
IMO Charlene is who she is and is to late for her to change to became somebody else. NOt because she is dumb but because she has/never had have any interests outside of swimming. You have to have thirst for knowledge to actually pick up a book in order to self-educate yourself. Also you need to have altruistic nature in order to be charitable and involved.
Charlene is a kind of woman that you will more likely find in a bar then in a book store.JMO
I wonder how many books she had read by now, excluding a summer reading books required by the her high school which she never finished.

 

[Elspeth]

I still don't understand why we are wasting so much time trying to find some reasoning in the way Charlene behaves and if she will ever be competent to be anything more than an escort.

This is a thread where people can give their opinions about Albert and Charlene's relationship. Not everybody has the same opinion as you, as you can see from other people's posts. You might think it's a waste of time for people with different opinions from yours to state them, but exchanges of opinions are the point of threads like this. If it's such a waste of time for you, you can always deploy the back button.

 

[royal pauper]

This is a thread where people can give their opinions about Albert and Charlene's relationship. Not everybody has the same opinion as you, as you can see from other people's posts. You might think it's a waste of time for people with different opinions from yours to state them, but exchanges of opinions are the point of threads like this. If it's such a waste of time for you, you can always deploy the back button.

O la, la I am surprised to see this kind of statement coming fom someone who deletes other people's opinons/posts on a daily bases. I had at least five posts deleted in the last three days. I guess not everyones opinion is appreciated in a same manner and only selected opinions are alowed in her. Definitely not DIFFERENT ones!
It is obvious that number of posters have been targeted by monitors on this forum! Your statement is contradictory to the policy of this forum!

As for the back button, I know that that has been your wish for a long time!

 

[Elspeth]

We don't delete posts because of the opinions they express, we delete posts because of the way they express them. As you very well ought to know. If you're going to carry on with your posts bashing and bitching about Charlene, you can expect to carry on having them deleted. Once you figure out how to word your criticism in a civil fashion, like some of the other posters are doing, you'll find that your posts stop disappearing. Not exactly rocket science.

And don't even think about trying to tell other posters to stop posting because you've decided what the Truth About Charlene Is and other opinions are unwelcome or irrelevant.

If you want to carry on this conversation with me, please do so by PM or by starting a thread in Support and Feedback.

 

[michelle]

I still don't understand why we are wasting so much time trying to find some reasoning in the way Charlene behaves and if she will ever be competent to be anything more than an escort. For God's sake she isn't some 20 year old girl just emerging from a high school into social scene. Charlene is 30 year old woman and she is who she is/will be already.
This is a woman who until a couple of years ago had spent her life in and around a pool, dressed in bathing-suit and jump-suits, surrounded with easy going sports people, sleeping in a cheap hotels/motels and eating in canteens. Almost over night she has been catapulted into a high society, sleeping in luxurious hotels and eating in fancy restaurants.
No wonder that she has no clue how to behave, and most importantly what to say when around people outside of her swimming domain. She's never tried to expend her education neither in a formal way nor by a self-education. This is a woman who doesn't have any interests outside of sports and is not able to have any kind of conversation. That is apparent when you sit her at the table with people outside of her comfort zone. If I remember correctly she didn't have any problems talking to her fellow swimmer Massimo at the dinner in Rome.
IMO Charlene is who she is and is to late for her to change to became somebody else. NOt because she is dumb but because she has/never had have any interests outside of swimming. You have to have thirst for knowledge to actually pick up a book in order to self-educate yourself. Also you need to have altruistic nature in order to be charitable and involved.
Charlene is a kind of woman that you will more likely find in a bar then in a book store.JMO
I wonder how many books she had read by now, excluding a summer reading books required by the her high school which she never finished.

Can I ask you something? HOW DO YOU KNOW ?
I'm trying really hard to get the sense here, what is it that makes you ( not only you - there are some more posters doing the same) pick on Charlene and Albert and all their beeing, decisions, their relationship, their every move ??? I'm kind of curious because I just don't get it.
You're judging them by seeing pictures, reading interviews ... you draw your own conclusions ( which is absolutely your right ) but , you know nothing! Plain and simple: That's unfair.
I don't want to defend Albert, or Charlene or anyone. I believe they are reasonable people. There is a reason for Aöbert to be with her. Whatever it is, it isn't as complicated and shady as you might think. There is no conspiracy going on.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I'm new around here and I am happy to be posting with others who are interested in the Monaco Royals!

I just want to say, I think Charlene Wittstock is lovely. I hope PA does marry her and soon. Because he can do a lot worse, and in my opinion he HAS done a lot worse! She is strikingly attractive, and I cannot find any negative publicity about her in the French or British tabs which I read constantly. On the contrary, she seems gracious and charming and sweet.

Until I see her picking spinach from her teeth or hear that she has an out of wedlock kid with some criminal stashed away, I think she's great.

 

[hibou]

I'm new around here and I am happy to be posting with others who are interested in the Monaco Royals!

I just want to say, I think Charlene Wittstock is lovely. I hope PA does marry her and soon. Because he can do a lot worse, and in my opinion he HAS done a lot worse! She is strikingly attractive, and I cannot find any negative publicity about her in the French or British tabs which I read constantly. On the contrary, she seems gracious and charming and sweet.

Until I see her picking spinach from her teeth or hear that she has an out of wedlock kid with some criminal stashed away, I think she's great.

Actually there was a photo of her picking her teeth at the small states games I 'm not sure where you will find the photo but I did see it. I can't verify it was spinich.

 

[hibou]

Can I ask you something? HOW DO YOU KNOW ?
I'm trying really hard to get the sense here, what is it that makes you ( not only you - there are some more posters doing the same) pick on Charlene and Albert and all their beeing, decisions, their relationship, their every move ??? I'm kind of curious because I just don't get it.
You're judging them by seeing pictures, reading interviews ... you draw your own conclusions ( which is absolutely your right ) but , you know nothing! Plain and simple: That's unfair.
I don't want to defend Albert, or Charlene or anyone. I believe they are reasonable people. There is a reason for Aöbert to be with her. Whatever it is, it isn't as complicated and shady as you might think. There is no conspiracy going on.

Actually if you go back a long ways through the threads on Charlene and read all the interviews she has given you will see her inconsistant statements I don't want to go through it all over again and I'm sure mods don't want yet another rehash of what she said but I would urge you to go read her interviews and you will see why many of us have issues with her it's not about the clothes and hair for most of us.

 

[rosalee]

He seems to really like this woman. But there are things about her, if he stops for a moment, which would make her very unlikely to be supportive of his future career as head of monaco .. except that she is young and probably capable of having tall, strapping blonde children for his successors. This might be all he wants and hope that their relationship stays good for the rest of their lives? We speculate and speculate because we just want to know what he is thinking ... but we cannot until he speaks up!

He has dated, in an intimate way, MANY, MANY beautiful, tall, blonde, athletic or model women over the years. This might just be another one!?
She might have taken that eight months away to pack up her life in SAfrica in privacy and cull out her life and move her things to Monaco without having her baggage ravaged by pilferers. I wish she would show some sign of learning French, taking some commerce courses and maybe even doing some volunteer work in the area to show her growing love .. but then, it might give away too much if we knew all that? If he keeps his mom in mind, he might never marry her. But if he wants what makes him happy despite her unsuitability for the throne ... then he will marry her soon! )

R.

 

[paca]

He seems to really like this woman. But there are things about her, if he stops for a moment, which would make her very unlikely to be supportive of his future career as head of monaco .. except that she is young and probably capable of having tall, strapping blonde children for his successors. This might be all he wants and hope that their relationship stays good for the rest of their lives? We speculate and speculate because we just want to know what he is thinking ... but we cannot until he speaks up!

if that would have been all he wanted then he could have gotten married more then 20 years ago, could have spent time raising them, could have actually seen them grow up and be able to prepare them to succeed him. So judging by the fact that he didn't, he either wanted more then just a childbearer or he enjoyed his playboy lifestyle too much. I hope it was the first and thought so by his speech 2 years ago, but judging by his actions I guess it was the latter.

 

[michelle]

Actually if you go back a long ways through the threads on Charlene and read all the interviews she has given you will see her inconsistant statements I don't want to go through it all over again and I'm sure mods don't want yet another rehash of what she said but I would urge you to go read her interviews and you will see why many of us have issues with her it's not about the clothes and hair for most of us.

I've read them a long time ago.
So...?

 

[Ghislaine]

I'm new around here and I am happy to be posting with others who are interested in the Monaco Royals!

I just want to say, I think Charlene Wittstock is lovely. I hope PA does marry her and soon. Because he can do a lot worse, and in my opinion he HAS done a lot worse! She is strikingly attractive, and I cannot find any negative publicity about her in the French or British tabs which I read constantly. On the contrary, she seems gracious and charming and sweet.

Until I see her picking spinach from her teeth or hear that she has an out of wedlock kid with some criminal stashed away, I think she's great.

Here you are, Small States Games 2007: http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb106/Mags13a/miscel/spinach.jpg
Please keep in mind that the tabloids don't have any reason yet to write anything negative about her. They pick and choose their stories and photos accordingly. You only get to see one photo out of a hundred taken and of course they'll pick a flattering one, or one that suits their story of the fairytale love affair. I have seen some of the other photos, those that the tabloids didn't pick and some of those seem to tell a different story. Like the tooth picking one. Tabloids only write what sells and at the moment that's the great love story. JMO.

 

[Tosca]

Here you are, Small States Games 2007: http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb106/Mags13a/miscel/spinach.jpg
Please keep in mind that the tabloids don't have any reason yet to write anything negative about her. They pick and choose their stories and photos accordingly. You only get to see one photo out of a hundred taken and of course they'll pick a flattering one, or one that suits their story of the fairytale love affair. I have seen some of the other photos, those that the tabloids didn't pick and some of those seem to tell a different story. Like the tooth picking one. Tabloids only write what sells and at the moment that's the great love story. JMO.

Well, then you've never seen any pics of young Caroline crossing her legs as Sharon Stone did in Basic Instinct. At least we know she wore panties...

 

[hibou]

I've read them a long time ago.
So...?

I guess lack of credibility doesn't bother you?

 

[simon]

Well, then you've never seen any pics of young Caroline crossing her legs as Sharon Stone did in Basic Instinct. At least we know she wore panties...

...and Stephanie picking her teeth. Just because someone behaves like a human beeing doesn't mean that they are tacky or irresponible. They are just people. Princess Grace was, too.

 

[pinklady1991]

if that would have been all he wanted then he could have gotten married more then 20 years ago, could have spent time raising them, could have actually seen them grow up and be able to prepare them to succeed him. So judging by the fact that he didn't, he either wanted more then just a childbearer or he enjoyed his playboy lifestyle too much. I hope it was the first and thought so by his speech 2 years ago, but judging by his actions I guess it was the latter.

I think Albert wants to want more than someone to produce children but he's gotten so used to his life as a playboy that he doesn't know how to give it up. Apparently there he can't reconcile what he wants with what he needs.

 

[lilae]

I think Albert wants to want more than someone to produce children but he's gotten so used to his life as a playboy that he doesn't know how to give it up. Apparently there he can't reconcile what he wants with what he needs.

That's was saying Nouvel Observateur journalist with Albert still teenager. Playboy life seems to be more pleasant than ruler life.

 

[Grace]

...and Stephanie picking her teeth. Just because someone behaves like a human beeing doesn't mean that they are tacky or irresponible. They are just people. Princess Grace was, too.

So bad manners make people more human...interesting theory. Maybe at the next official lunch I attend I might try eating with my hands instead that with knife and fork, I bet everyone will realize how nice and down to earth I am!

THanks Ghislaine for the pic that I hadn't seen; I now realize Albert and Charlene are two of a kind, and won't question their relationship ever again. BTW Grace was indeed a human being, but I'm sure she never picked her teeth in public, and would have been horrified in seeing one of her kids doing it!

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Here you are, Small States Games 2007: http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb106/Mags13a/miscel/spinach.jpg
Please keep in mind that the tabloids don't have any reason yet to write anything negative about her. They pick and choose their stories and photos accordingly. You only get to see one photo out of a hundred taken and of course they'll pick a flattering one, or one that suits their story of the fairytale love affair. I have seen some of the other photos, those that the tabloids didn't pick and some of those seem to tell a different story. Like the tooth picking one. Tabloids only write what sells and at the moment that's the great love story. JMO.

Hi Ghislaine-

Thanks so much for the link with the photos...actuallly it seems that HSH and Ms Wittstock are joking around or playing...not picking food from their teeth. I see the Prince is doing something with his fingers and Charlene seems to be imitating him, or vice versa.

I don't agree that the tabloids don't have a reason to print something negative. They LOOK for things when someone is new on the scene, IMO. I remember when Lady Diana Spencer's engagement was announced, there was an article in British Vogue about how Fleet Street was amazed that the diciest thing they could dig up was that she once plunged fully clothed into a neighbor's pool!

I am certain that if there is dirt to be dug up on this young woman we'd know about it after the 18 mos or so that she has been on the "radar" so to speak?

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Can I ask you something? HOW DO YOU KNOW ?
I'm trying really hard to get the sense here, what is it that makes you ( not only you - there are some more posters doing the same) pick on Charlene and Albert and all their beeing, decisions, their relationship, their every move ??? I'm kind of curious because I just don't get it.
You're judging them by seeing pictures, reading interviews ... you draw your own conclusions ( which is absolutely your right ) but , you know nothing! Plain and simple: That's unfair.
I don't want to defend Albert, or Charlene or anyone. I believe they are reasonable people. There is a reason for Aöbert to be with her. Whatever it is, it isn't as complicated and shady as you might think. There is no conspiracy going on.

Michelle, I agree with you 100%. I am new to these boards and a little baffled by the increasingly strident and negative comments about Charlene. Regardless of any faux-pas she has committed or any unwise statements in the press-I have not personally read any and I have been following this story almost from the start-there are only TWO PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN A RELATIONSHIP. And that is the two people who are in the relationship.
Unless we are flies on the wall or have the Palais Princier electronically bugged, how can we know what is going on in this relationship behind the scenes? How do we know she is not trying to learn French(I recently read that Princess Grace refused to speak publically during her first two years as Princess of Monaco because she did not feel her French was proficient enough and it embarrassed her) How do we know, for example, that she has not being quietly instructed in the Catholic Faith by Msgr Barthe, or whomever?

 

[simon]

So bad manners make people more human...interesting theory. Maybe at the next official lunch I attend I might try eating with my hands instead that with knife and fork, I bet everyone will realize how nice and down to earth I am!
!

Oh, come on I did not talk about bad manners. You know very well that neither Stephanie nor Charlene would eat with their hands at an official dinner or any dinner whatsoever, unless they're having a privat lunch/ dinner or whatever at McDonalds. There they would eat their burgers and fries using their fingers and nothing else and that's just like it has to be. That is alright for Stephanie and it is alright for Charlene regardless what you think is appropriate for a princess or a princess-to-be or a friend of a prince.
For years and decades people were critizising Stephanie for doing -not appropriate things- like biting her nails, sunbathing without bikini-to, eating burgers with her hands, living in a caravan, chewing gum , buying clothes for 40 bucks , all of that = not princess-like. But that's how it goes. She knows very well how things go in her world and she has always done everything to be a good working part of it and so does Charlene I believe.

 

[Grace]

Oh, come on I did not talk about bad manners. You know very well that neither Stephanie nor Charlene would eat with their hands at an official dinner or any dinner whatsoever, unless they're having a privat lunch/ dinner or whatever at McDonalds. There they would eat their burgers and fries using their fingers and nothing else and that's just like it has to be. That is alright for Stephanie and it is alright for Charlene regardless what you think is appropriate for a princess or a princess-to-be or a friend of a prince.
For years and decades people were critizising Stephanie for doing -not appropriate things- like biting her nails, sunbathing without bikini-to, eating burgers with her hands, living in a caravan, chewing gum , buying clothes for 40 bucks , all of that = not princess-like. But that's how it goes. She knows very well how things go in her world and she has always done everything to be a good working part of it and so does Charlene I believe.

What do good manners have to do with being a princess? They apply to everyone, rich or poor, noble or not, and even more so to people who live in the spot light. Anyway, to each his/her own: I'd take as a role model someone like Pr. Grace, always trying to appear at her best and trying to be appropriate on every occasion, and I think she ate her burgers with the hands as well; if you prefer Steph's way, that's perfectly ok, but we must remember Albert is a head of State, and I surely wouldn't like my Prime Minister or President photographed like that...

 

[simon]

What do good manners have to do with being a princess? They apply to everyone, rich or poor, noble or not, and even more so to people who live in the spot light. Anyway, to each his/her own: I'd take as a role model someone like Pr. Grace, always trying to appear at her best and trying to be appropriate on every occasion, and I think she ate her burgers with the hands as well; if you prefer Steph's way, that's perfectly ok, but we must remember Albert is a head of State, and I surely wouldn't like my Prime Minister or President photographed like that...

That's exactly what I was saying. Steph's way isn't different from her mothers. She conducts herself well. And so does Charlene.
I wouldn't mind a picture of Albert and Charlene sitting on a bench eating burgers and most of the poeple in Monaco wouldn't either.

 

[michelle]

First, " Hi Simon "

Second: Charlene seems to mean something to Albert. She's with him most of the time. So, what's the trouble. If Stephanie or Caroline are huge fans of her or not is none of our business. I personally think that Stephanie beeing a not-very-complicated kind of person has her way to get along with her well and from what I see she's very fine with Charlene being around. Caro, I don't know really, things can be more complicated with her sometimes I guess. She's a little more picky. She obviously wasn't vary fond of Daniel Ducruet either but they found some way to deal with it. That's what families are like. His sisters opinions and feelings mean everything to Albert. They sort everything out. They know how to. Thee a team, they'll always be. They know it and it is important to them. I wouldn't worry.