Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco Bring Twins to Summer Picnic Amid Denying Breakup Rumors

Summer is over and school is starting — there is plenty of time in Monaco to enjoy the traditional picnic “At Cavagnet”.

After a summer break, the Monaco royal family attended the Principality’s annual “Picnic Basket” event on Saturday. Dating back to 1931, the popular “End of Summer/Welcome Back” outdoor tradition combines elements of a colorful festival and garden party. With mass, costumed musicians and Palladian dancers, as well as an aperitif toast and a range of local dishes, this year’s edition attracted more than 1,000 Monegasques to Princess Antoinette Park.

“It’s a fun event, a really nice time of year,” Prince Albert of Monaco told PEOPLE last year, describing the picnic’s return after a two-year absence.

Held under an olive tree with barbecue and ice cream, “It’s just a great, very informal environment,” said Albert, 65. “The mass, which opens it, is a bit formal, but then it goes right into a picnic and there’s a bit of a cocktail party atmosphere . It’s just wonderful to be able to walk around and ‘tell me about your summer conversations’ with people you know.”

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert were accompanied by their 8-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. Prince Albert’s niece Charlotte Casiraghi, her husband Dimitri Rassam and their children also joined the family.

Charlotte Casiraghi with her family on a picnic in Monaco on September 9, 2023.

PLS Pool/Getty

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The royal picnic break came at the end of a long work week, which included at least four joint appearances for Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.

The annual weekend event coincided with the release of a new interview in which Prince Albert personally denounced renewed reports of a marital rift as “lies”.

Reports from Split were published by German, English and French tabloids while the family was on vacation in Monaco. Appearing during a period of “private time” traditionally reserved for family vacations (an extended August sailing trip off Corsica this year), the stories are similar to those officially denied by palace officials to PEOPLE last March.

Speaking to an Italian newspaper Corriere della Serrathe prince addressed persistent rumors – including claims that Princess Charlene had left Monaco and moved to Switzerland – categorizing them as unfounded.

Princess Charlene, Prince Albert, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella on a picnic in Monaco on September 9, 2023.

PLS Pool/Getty

“Charlene is always there for me,” Prince Albert told the outlet, noting their appearances together since returning from a family vacation. Describing the mix of diplomatic, charity, social and sporting functions, he said: “We received the new French ambassador to Monaco together on Tuesday at the palace. We were together in Casino Square for the Princess of Monaco Cup golf competition.”

“I don’t understand all these rumors, which hurt me, about us,” he said. “Yes, she lives somewhere else. She lives in Switzerland. That we only meet by appointment. Those are lies.”

Charlene, he continued, “had some difficulties many months ago, but now, thank God, she’s over it and is always by my side. She supports me in running the Principality, but we’re not tied to each other 24 hours a day. We’re working couple and sometimes it allows us to see each other only at the end of a long day full of obligations.”

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While Princess Gabriella returned to the royal spotlight last weekend, accompanying her father to a sports tournament, the picnic marked the family’s first ensemble appearance. It was also the first official public appearance in months for Crown Prince Jacques.

The picnic had been on the twins’ schedule since childhood, and most years they showed up dressed in matching outfits and haircuts for back-to-school (sometimes performed by Princess Gabriella). But after a growth spurt, the young prince is now half a head taller than his twin sister!

Prince Albert had a few words for an Italian newspaper about the royal twins, saying they are still inseparable. Jacques is still small, he is only 8 years old, but in a few years I will start preparing him for his responsibilities. Jacques and Gabriella are getting ready – you can’t separate two twins, you can’t tell them apart.”

His plans for Gabriella, he continued, “are essentially the same as what I have for Jacques.”

“They will have the same attention and training, and just as much responsibility,” Prince Albert said. “And there is a role for her in the Monaco of tomorrow.”

He continued: “Brother Jacques will need her too. She will take on the responsibilities, just as I have always relied on my sisters, Caroline and Stephanie. I can’t do everything. Responsibilities in the royal family must be shared.”

Royal Picnic in Monaco on September 9, 2023.

Pierre Villard/SC Pool – Corbis/Getty

Asked to reflect on the one-year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death, Prince Albert recalled that he and Princess Charlene attended the state funeral of the history-making monarch and the coronation of King Charles. He suggested: “When it comes to kings and princes, it’s like an army with star generals. I can’t compare to King Charles.”

I was also in London at the memorial to Prince Philip, he continued. “And I was moved by the perfect ceremonies, the crowds. I believe that monarchies offer a sense of belonging and a point of reference — a beacon of stability in a rapidly changing world. And a long-term vision of the future. Sovereigns, we have a long-term vision, not short policy mandates.”

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Both Prince Albert and Princess Charlene stayed late this year for a picnic in Monaco. There was dancing, jazz music, Monagas focaccia (herb scones) and chickpea pancakes. Basically, one attendee comments, “It was a chance for the couple to be among dozens of friends before starting another busy week.”

This week will include the first day of school for Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella before Prince Albert and Princess Charlene travel to South Africa next weekend.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education