Sibling love! Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella hug as they join their mother Charlene to set a boat alight in a traditional ceremony to honor Monaco’s patron saint
- Princes Charlene of Monaco, 45, attended the traditional celebrations tonight
- The evening celebrates Monaco’s patron saint by lighting a boat on dire
- Read more: Prince Albert of Monaco tests positive for Covid for a THIRD time
Princess Charlene and her children kicked off the Sainte Devote celebrations in Monaco this evening in an almost-family affair as Prince Albert isolates after testing positive for Covid-19.
The glamorous princess, 45, was wrapped up in a dark grey coat on top of suit trousers and a black sweater as she held a large candle ready to spark a boat burning in a traditional ritual to mark the festivities in honour of the patron saint of Monaco.
Mother-of-two Charlene was joined by the eight-year-old twins she shares with Prince Albert, Jacques and Gabriella, while their father remained in the palace where he is isolating.
But 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.
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella hugged as they watched a boat catch alight at the Saint Devote celebrations in Monaco accompanied by their mother Princess Charlene while their father Prince Albert isolates after testing positive for Covid-19
It was reported earlier this week that the Monacgasque royal had tested positive for coronavirus for a third time and that he would be staying at home until he tested negative, although the palace reported he had no symptoms.
But the show must go on for the royal family, who looked regal as ever at the event.
As Princess Charlene cast a watchful eye over her young children as they carried fire, a tender moment between the twins was captured on camera as they shared an embrace while watching the boat light up.
Sibling love! Prince Jacques and Prince Gabriella show their strong bond as twins as they hug and lark about at the festivities
Up in flames! The eight-year-old twins waved the boat goodbye as they sent it up in flames during the celebration
Prince Jacques cupped his sister’s face in his hands while she crumpled up her face as the pair watched the fire
The siblings shared a sweet moment as they watched the boat on fire after setting it alight during the ceremony
Princess Charlene of Monaco, who turned 45 earlier this week, carried a candle while accompanied by her eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella at the Saint Devote celebrations
The Monacgasque royals lit some foliage alight to burn the boat in the traditional ceremony marking the legend of Saint Devote
Crowds gathered to watch the boat go up in flames after it was set alight by Princess Charlene and her children
The royals watched the boat burn while Prince Jacques cupped his sister’s face with his hand as the pair larked about
Princess Charlene wrapped her arms around her daughter Princess Gabriella, who was wearing a stylish blush pink coat
A woman in uniform presented the royal children with a long white and red candle, a fixture of the event
The royal gave her son a cuddle before they moved to set the fishing boat on fire using the ceremonial candles
The Saint Devote celebrations mark the legend of Devote, a young Corsican woman who was killed and her body was brought to Monaco on a boat, where she was buried and made a patroness of the principality.
The South-African born royal celebrated her 45th birthday earlier this week on the same day as her husband was forced to isolate.
After the palace released a statement confirming Prince Albert had tested positive, it was unclear if Charlene had also caught the virus.
However her appearance this evening appears to confirm she does not have Covid and that she’s fighting fit to continue carrying out royal duties.
Charlene looked on before her children approached the boat during the traditional January event
The doting mother-of-two lit a candle using the one her daughter was holding, before the family set the boat on fire
Prince Jacques and his sister Princess Gabriella, accompanied by their mother, set the herb surrounding the boat on fire
Charlene kept a close eye on her children to make sure they were safe during the symbolic moment
Flames began to swirl in the air as Charlene helped her son Jacques to light up more of the branches of pines laid around the ship
Royal fans will be pleased to see Charlene doing well after a spell of ill-health last year which saw her return to South Africa to recuperate.
She was suffering from what the palace described as a ‘state of profound general fatigue’.
The mother-of-two was reportedly admitted to a private Swiss clinic in late November, within days of her return to Monaco.
Last month, Prince Albert praised his wife, Princess Charlene, for ‘turning it around in an incredible way’ after her long-running health battle.
Speaking in December, the 64-year-old royal told People he was ‘really proud of my wife,’ adding: ‘Charlene’s doing really well.’
He continued: ‘As you know, last year was a very tough year for her – and the beginning of this year.’
Albert added that after being admitted to a Swiss treatment facility for exhaustion and keeping out of the limelight, Charlene, 44, has been ‘active in any number of different events.’
He highlighted a number of events where the former Olympic swimmer had been visible at lately, including a recent outing to the Monaco branch of the Red Cross.
‘She’s really enjoying doing things together and with the kids, so this year is ending on a very, a very high note. We’re truly thrilled about how things are,’ Albert said.
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