Prince Albert and Princess Charlene make romantic return to Olympic Winter Games, 20 years after relationship debut

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have made a romantic return to the Olympic Winter Games, 20 years after using the event to make their relationship public.

This time the Monegasque couple brought along their two children, twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella

And to make the occasion even more special, their outing at Milano Cortina 2026 fell on Valentine's Day.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, and their children, watched the Women's Curling Tournament at the Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, in Cortina.

The following day the Princely family were in the stands to watch the mixed team Skeleton at the Sliding Centre in Cortina where Prince Albert handed out the medals to the winners.

They also watched the women's giant slalom in alpine skiing.

The Winter Olympic Games hold a special place in Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's hearts.

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The couple went public with their relationship at the 2006 Turin Games.

It was in 2000, at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo, where Charlene first met Prince Albert II, then the heir to the Monegasque throne and son of Hollywood actress turned Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.

"I was 22 and focused," Charlene told Tatler in 2010, ahead of the royal wedding in July 2011.

"I wasn't in the emotional place for a relationship. But the moment I met Albert, I felt a profound sense of destiny. I knew he was the one".

They managed to keep their relationship under wraps and spent time together, in secret, in South Africa and in Monaco.

Their first major appearance together was in 2006 in Turin where they were photographed at the Opening Ceremony. Prince Albert was seen kissing Charlene's hand and they were also seen laughing and playing with a torch.

The following year Charlene moved to Monaco and on June 23, 2010, Prince Albert proposed. They married in July, 2011.

Charlene was a decorated swimmer before meeting Albert and won four gold medals at other competitions, and three silver medals at the Commonwealth Games. In 2000, her team came in fifth at the Sydney Olympic Games.

But her career came to an end in 2007 after qualifying for the Beijing Olympics, when Charlene was forced to withdraw due to numerous injuries, including a fractured ankle and shoulder trauma.

Prince Albert continues to work with the International Olympic Committee and has been a member since 1985.

He also competed in five winter games, representing his country in the bobsleigh competition, from 1988 until 2000.

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