Princess Charlene of Monaco has made a third rare public engagement appearance with her husband Prince Albert in a matter of days – amid rumours that the couple’s marriage is on the rocks.

Charlene, 45, and Albert, 65, appeared cordial as they took part in the Princess of Monaco Cup ’19th hole’ event today. One shot from the outing shows the father-of-two awkwardly placing his hands around his wife’s shoulders while she prepared to swing a club. 

The celebrity cup, hosted by the Fondation Princesse Charlene De Monaco, acts as a fundraising event and invites VIP guests for a fun day of golfing activities.

The royal pair – who share eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – appeared to be putting on a united front, following claims they are living apart and only see each other ‘by appointment’. 

They have made a number of appearances together this week following reports about their marriage, including an awkward interview on Monaco’s first TV channel.

Princess Charlene of Monaco has made yet another rare public engagement appearance with her husband Prince Albert – amid rumours that the couple’s marriage is on the rocks

One shot from the outing shows the father-of-two awkwardly placing his hands around his wife’s shoulders while she prepares to swing a club

The Former Olympic swimmer stunned in a glamorous black dress, which struck the perfect balance between sporty and sophisticated, and accessorised with silver jewellery. 

Meanwhile, her husband opted for a simple and elegant white shirt and trousers topped with a navy blazer. 

Earlier this week, the pair made another united appearance as they received the new French Ambassador to Monaco, Jean D’Haussonville, at the Prince’s Palace.

Charlene cut an elegant figure in a navy skirt and blouse, teamed with a pearl necklace, in a snap taken of the meeting.

Offering only the slightest of smiles, the mother-of-two appeared to stand awkwardly next to her smartly-dressed husband, who in contrast, wore a beaming grin for the camera.

And last week, the couple made an awkward television appearance as they launched TVMonaco which will broadcast a wide range of programmes including current affairs, talk shows, the environment and sport in a bid to promote Monegasque culture.

Prince Albert told the MonacoTV reporter: ‘I’m very proud to be here with Princess Charlene to launch this beautiful adventure, this TV channel which will expand the importance of this principality throughout the world. 

‘And I am sure, considering how modern this setup is that there will be a very high quality of programming, important yes for residents of Monaco, but also for all those who like the principality and the riviera throughout the world so it’s a great joy to be here.’ 

Charlene briefly added: ‘Congratulations – and all the best for the future.’

The royal pair put on a united front, following claims they are living apart and only see each other ‘by appointment’ , as they attended the Princess of Monaco Cup ’19th hole’ event

Charlene deleted her Instagram account last month, leading to further questions.

Last month Prince Albert posed next to his former mistress Nicole Coste as they marked their son Alexandre’s 20th birthday with an outside dinner. They were joined by Jazmin Grimaldi – Albert’s other illegitimate child.

A source close to Charlene and Albert told French newspaper Voici that the former Olympic swimmer and son of Grace Kelly are just a ‘ceremonial couple’.

It adds that Charlene has promised to return to Monaco on official occasions and is now allowed to see her children more often – with the pair splitting care of the children.

‘Albert and Charlene are now good partners, take turns taking care of the children,’ a source added to German newspaper Bild.

Rumours of the state of the couple’s marriage have swirled for years, since Charlene cried on her wedding to Grace Kelly’s son in 2011.

However, the rumour mill went into overdrive when Charlene spent most of 2021 apart from her husband after returning to her native South Africa for what was supposed to be a month-long trip.

She wasn’t picture in Monaco from January 2021 until March 2022, citing a sinus issue which stopped her from flying.

The Former Olympic swimmer stunned in a glamorous black dress, which struck the perfect balance between sporty and sophisticated, and accessorised with silver jewellery

The couple – who share eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – have been at the centre of speculation after reports in European media alleged Charlene was living in Switzerland and only saw husband Albert ‘by appointment’

Upon her return to the principality, Albert claimed she was ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘unwell’.

Speaking to People magazine at the time, Albert said the family reunion in Monaco last week initially went ‘pretty well’ in the first few hours, but it then became ‘pretty evident’ that Charlene was ‘unwell.’

He said the former Olympian ‘realised she needed help’, adding: ‘She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.’

Claims she will stay in Switzerland were backed up by a source who knows the couple well, who said: ‘The South of France is too close, but Switzerland has superb private medical facilities, and Charlene will be well looked after there.’

The couple have been at the centre of split rumours for years, but have always denied there’s an issue with their marriage.

Earlier this year, the Palace was forced to deny rumours first reported in French magazine ROYAUTÉ which suggested the couple were on the brink of divorce. 

In March, the Palace’s press office said they ‘formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the magazine’.

A spokesperson said: ‘I would like to formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the French magazine Royauté. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.’

Last month, the royal couple also put on a united front as they relaxed on a yacht in Corsica.

Photos show the couple relaxed while on a yacht in the Mediterranean. In one shot Albert lovingly wraps his arm around Charlene, while in another they sit side-by-side on the beach.

The couple, alongside their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, spent the summer on a yacht owned by Kazakh businessman Bulat Utemuratov. 

The celebrity cup, hosted by the Fondation Princesse Charlene De Monaco, acts as a fundraising event and invites VIP guests for a fun day of golfing activities

The royal couple appeared stiff as they took part in the glitzy affair, amid rumours that their marriage is on the rocks

The couple, pictured with VIP guests, put on a united front as they made a rare appearance together

Charlene opted for a chic black dress while her husband dressed in a simple pair of trousers and a shirt

Albert is the current head of the pocket-sized principality.  But it was the financial acumen of his father, Prince Rainier, that set Monaco on its current path to riches.

Together with his wife Princess Grace, formerly Hollywood’s Grace Kelly, they created one of the most unashamedly glamorous families on the planet – and a world combining high society with the high-octane thrill of the Monaco grand prix.

Today, Prince Albert and Princess Consort Charlene, mother of his two children, attract the attention of photographers whenever they step out in public. 

But, the wealthy lifestyle is accompanied by a fair degree of drama.

Guests at the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011 could not help but notice that his bride, Charlene, cried through much of the ceremony. And they didn’t look like tears of joy.

Numerous photographs showed Charlene dabbing at her eyes, ignoring Albert’s audible entreaties to stop crying. 

Charlene later proffered the explanation that she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the proceedings but her awkward demeanour added to rumours that the couple’s relationship was in trouble well before their wedding day.