Photo: Eric Mathon/Prince Palace

Princess Charleneof Monaco believes her family is her rock.
Seated in a palace family room beside a black-and-whiteHollywood portrait of Princess Graceand framed Christmas picture of her 8-year-old twinsPrince JacquesandPrincess Gabriella, Charlene addressed thehealth issues that kept her away from the principality for a year, until her return last spring.
“I would first like to say that I feel so much better today than I have in recent years,” Charlene told local newspaperMonaco Matin. “I feel less pain and much more energy.”
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Opening up about the future roles of her children, the princess added that while they were “born with responsibilities and duties” they are still learning their royal roles.
“With my husband (Prince Albert), when we have to go to an event, we explain to them what the nature of this event, this ceremony is,” added Charlene with pet chihuahuas Tia and Harley playing beside her on the couch.
“They like accompanying us, and with the Prince, the four of us enjoy doing these together,” she continued about their family time together. “But as I said,” she advised, “they are still young, they continue to observe, to learn, before it will become natural for them.”
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene hand over Christmas packages with the Monaco Red Cross.Eric Mathon/Prince Palace

Mentioning as an example, the children’s recent appearances, including November’s National Day, thefirst great family reunionin three years, the Princess stressed its significance.
“Our children were very enthusiastic to take part in this National Day and we were very proud to see their maturity,” she toldMonaco Matin. “The family unit is essential for us.”
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“They are two children who have their own language and who understand each other,” she continued, raising the special link the children share — a quality Prince Albert once joked “makes them very much into accomplices.”
“They love and protect each other and share an immense benevolence between them,” added Charlene. “It’s a rather unique bond I must say, and I see this particularity that the twins share.”
source: people.com