By Sadie Whitelocks


Princess Charlene has been keeping a low profile in recent months.

But today the 34-year-old was in the spotlight as she attended a special Jubilee lunch at Windsor Castle with her husband Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Sporting a smart baby blue ensemble, the former South African swimmer confidently worked a new blonde crop, first spotted at the Monte-Carlo tennis tournament in April.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene arrive for the Jubilee lunch at Windsor Castle

The duo flew into the UK to attend the event, which was the largest gathering of foreign royals in Britain since the royal wedding.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh greeted their guests personally when they arrived, patiently waiting outside the Castle's Waterloo chamber where a pre-lunch reception was held.

First to arrive was Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, soon followed by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

King Harald V of Norway kissed the Queens hand when he and his wife Queen Sonja met the monarch and she replied with a beaming smile.

The Duchess of Cambridge shares a joke with Princess Charlene

While Prince Albert II of Monaco was more formal with just a handshake complimented by his wife who gave a low curtsey.

Following the drinks reception, guests went through to St George's Hall for a lunch which featured an English asparagus tartlet, Windsor lamb and Kent strawberries topped with vanilla Charlotte cream.

Sat in groups of 10 to 12, each table had at least one sovereign and their spouse, a member of the British royal family and a member of the royal Household seated together.

The event has been marred by strong criticism from campaigners who were aghast by the guest-list which featured controversial leaders King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Swaziland's King Mswati III.

Princess Charlene's pixie hairstyle was first seen when she attended attended the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament in April with her 54-year-old husband.


Prince William and Princess Charlene stopped to talk during the drinks reception held in St George's Hall

Princess Charlene confidentially worked her new hairstyle first seen in April at the Monte Carlo tennis

She had previously always been a fan of wearing her hair pulled into sleek ponytails and chose to wear her hair in a classic updo for her wedding last year.

Her choice of hairstyle is likely to be a hit with Prince Albert as he previously admitted in his opinion Charlene 'never looks more beautiful' than when her blonde locks are off her face.

'To me, Charlene never looks more beautiful than when she is natural - without makeup and her hair pulled back,' he told Vogue last summer.

Meanwhile, the princess explained she was enjoying experimenting with her own style and being 'more daring' with her appearance.

'I’m starting to play with fresher, bolder, and more daring looks,' she explained. 'I’ve reached the point where I know what I like and what works.'

'To me, Charlene never looks more beautiful than when she is natural — without makeup and her hair pulled back,' Prince Albert told Vogue last summer

France’s Voici magazine recently that reported that Princess Charlene had become ‘depressed’ at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir, after she was said to have struck a ‘deal’ with him after she tried to flee before their wedding last summer.

Albert is already father to two love-children, seven-year-old son Alexandre with Togolese air hostess Nicole Coste and Jazmin, 20, born after a brief affair with American estate agent Tamara Rotola.

However neither can succeed him as they were both born out of wedlock.

One source said at the time: 'Charlene will provide an heir, then if things don’t go well, she will receive a generous divorce settlement once she’s served a decent amount of time.'



source:dailymail