In a rare and awkward TV interview, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco have spoken about their first year of marriage.
The couple, who celebrated their first wedding anniversary on July 1, invited CBS This Morning into their home to discuss what life is like as a married couple, however neither spoke in detail about much at all.
When asked about married life Prince Albert answered: “Well, I think it’s, wonderful.”
“I can’t speak for Charlene, but she will be able to answer you. But we’re having a wonderful time.”
Princess Charlene agreed saying: “Great. I recommend it”.
But while the pair offered somewhat positive answers about married life, their body language told a different story (see the video above) and didn’t do much to dispel rumours that they are unhappily married.
In the past year Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa, has certainly experienced a change in lifestyle and now lives in a 700-year-old palace, perched on a cliff top overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
As the interview went on, it was clear that the 34-year-old was yet to find her feet as the Princess of Monaco.
When asked about what life is like as a princess she struggled to answer saying: “Yeah, it’s great. It’s I don’t know how to answer that, honestly. What’s it like being a princess?”
At this point the 54-year-old prince asked to take a time out from the interview. He was then asked about his reaction to his wife being compared to his late mother, Princess Grace of Monaco.
“Now I think you know every human being is unique. And that’s the beauty of the human race,” he said.
“I knew that whoever I choose to marry, that she would be compared to my mother. And I was ready for that. But I think Charlene has her own very wonderful personal qualities to be able to shine.”
When he was asked about the qualities that drew him to Charlene, the shy princess squirmed saying she didn’t want to hear it and a palace official stepped in saying that question was too personal to answer.
The pair has been under watchful public eye since a French newspaper reported just days before their wedding that Charlene had tried to escape the marriage. Then, while the couple were on their honeymoon there were claims they had stayed in separate hotels.
When asked about the press coverage Princess Charlene said that she mostly ignores it.
“I mean, to be honest with you, I really do not read anything that’s printed,” she said.
“I think rumours, the word is, says a lot about itself, I suppose.”
Prince Albert supported his wife saying that the rumours were “completely unfounded, completely untrue”.
Princess Charlene, who is currently hosting the South African swim team as they prepare for the London Olympics, says she often misses the competitive spirit of swimming and is now using that determination to adapt to her new job as a princess.
“I’m still in the process. You know, it’s a process. Everything is a process,” she said.
“And I think I’ve got a bit of time on my side.”
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