Princess Charlene and twin children join Covid-positive Prince Albert

Princess Charlene of Monaco cut a solitary figure while attending mass today, after her husband Prince Albert II tested positive for Covid earlier this week.

The Princess, 45, looked elegant in an all-grey ensemble as she arrived for the service for Saint Dévote, Monaco’s patron saint whose feast day is today.

But after the service, the Princess and her husband reunited, along with their children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, to mark the celebrations as a family.

Prince Albert, who has been isolating, made the unexpected appearance wearing a mask and a couple of feet from his eight-year-old twins and his wife.

 The Monagasque royal family gathered on the palace balcony today to mark the feast day of the country’s patron saint

The young Prince and Princess giggled as they looked out from the Palace during the traditional Sainte Devote procession in Monaco, watched over by their mother.

Paying tribute to the saint, the family made the sign of the cross, with Prince Jacques dutifully pressing his hands together in prayer.

The family looked typically smart for the occasion, with Princess Gabriella wearing a bottle green overcoat and Prince Jacques a black one with a white shirt collar peeking through.

His father donned a similar black coat and scarf – as well as a white surgical mask – as he tried to stay warm and keep the virus away from his family during his bout of ill-health.

The eight-year-old twins paid attention as the traditional Sainte Devote procession went by

The family were put on a united front, albeit with a small distance between them and with Prince Albert II wearing a mask

This is the third time the crown prince, 64, has tested positive for the virus, meaning he was forced to cancel all of his public engagements around the Saint Dévote festivities. 

The palace said the Prince has experienced no symptoms, but will be remaining at home until he tests negative.

While he was well enough to make an appearance on the open-air balcony, the monarch understandably did not attend a gathering this morning, which his wife went to alone.

The Princess appeared composed and in good spirits as she was greeted by the country’s archbishop and other dignitaries at the Cathedral of Monaco.

Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy, who is a second cousin of Prince Albert, welcomed the Princess to the Cathedral ahead of the service

The Princess appeared composed and in good spirits as she was greeted by the country’s archbishop and other dignitaries at the Cathedral of Monaco

Charlene smiled for the cameras as she stepped out of her car and was shown into the Mass service, a key part of the festivities which take place every year.

She was wrapped up against the chilly January weather with a double-breasted grey woolen blazer, which she matched with a light charcoal turtleneck.

The grey look was paired with a grey-brown suede asymmetric skirt and slouchy heeled boots of a similar material. 

She accessorised the look with black leather gloves and large diamond studs.

The grey look was paired with a grey-brown suede asymmetric skirt and slouchy heeled boots of a similar material

Charlene smiled for the cameras as she stepped out of her car and was shown into the Mass service, a key part of the festivities which take place every year.

With her husband absent, a supportive friend of the royal stepped in to accompany Charlene to the service.

Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy, who is a second cousin of Prince Albert, welcomed the Princess to the Cathedral ahead of the service.

The relative of the monarch, whose mother was his late father’s niece, was regularly pictured with him while his wife was unable to attend royal events during her treatment for ill-health.

Charlene wore simple diamond studs as she attended the mass. She was shown into the Cathedral by dignitaries

In December, Charlene said she felt ‘much better’ after almost a year away from the Monaco in her native South Africa, where she had been undergoing treatment for an unspecified condition.

Last night, Charlene was pictured with her and the Prince’s two children enjoying the first festivities of the two-day holiday in honour of Sainte Devote.

They took part in the annual boat burning ceremony – an event which has a long and popular history in the Mediterranean principality, and which Albert would have been sorry to miss.

The children stole the show as they hugged and larked about while they watched the boat go up in flames for the celebration, which takes place every year on 26 and 27 January.