PRINCESS Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco have appeared in public with their twin children for the first time since the palace was rocked by rumours of a split.

Mother-of-two Charlene, 45, was seen with her arm around eight-year-old Prince Jacques and her other hand on Princess Gabriella’s shoulders as the family attended a rugby tournament in the tiny principality.

3

3

Elegant Charlene dressed in a matching white top and trousers, with complete with a navy blue blazer embroidered with the logo of the hosting Sainte Devote Rugby Club in Monaco.

She complemented the look with red lipstick and nails along with fashionable sunglasses to shield herself from the Mediterranean sun.

Her husband of 12 years, 65-year-old Prince Albert, wore smart trousers with a red tie and white shirt.

The royal couple wore matching blazers, following rumours of an alleged royal split.

Their children were seen excitedly watching the rugby, with Jacques cheering and raising his arms at one point.

Charlene seemed relaxed as she chatted to some of the young rugby players before the game while she held the match ball.

It comes just weeks after reports that Princess Charlene and Prince Albert were in the process of divorcing.

These reports in the French publication Royaute have been strenuously denied by the palace so far.

A royal spokesman said the couple “formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the magazine”.

The couple have appeared together at a number of events in recent weeks, including a memorial mass service for Prince Rainier, Albert’s late father, earlier this month.

Charlene was spotted on a solo trip to Milan last month without her wedding ring, although she was later seen with the band on her finger after returning to Monaco for an awards ceremony alongside her husband.

Prince Albert recently appeared without his wife at the recent Rose Ball in Monaco.

Albert, the son of the late Grace Kelly, whose marriage into the Grimaldi Royal Family stunned the world, appeared to dismiss rumours of a split when he told Hello! magazine how his wife was heavily involved in restoration works at the royal palace.

He said: “Princess Charlene was excited and happy that we were able to carry out this work.”

South African-born Charlene tied the knot with Albert in 2011 in a £53m ceremony dubbed the “biggest party in 55 years”.

The prince proposed with a stunning ring designed by Paris-based Italian jeweller Repossi, featuring a handcrafted pear-cut diamond flanked by smaller diamonds.

During the ceremony, they exchanged Cartier 18-carat white gold platinum rings.

Former Olympic swimmer Charlene was seen laughing as she placed the ring on her husband’s finger.

At the time, some in the French press dubbed her the “Runaway Bride” for allegedly trying to flee before the ceremony.

However, these reports were also strongly denied at the time.

More shocking reports emerged last year claiming that Charlene was being paid by her husband to appear at his side for royal events.

A sensational report by French media outlet Voici claimed Charlene is being paid “£12 million euros [£10.2m] per year” to fulfil her role as consort, as part of an “ultra-confidential contract” she would have made her husband sign.

Rival publication Paris Match Belgium also reported that Albert “would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events”.

Royals in Monaco don’t receive a salary, meaning the princess is most likely reliant on her billionaire husband.