Princess Charlene and Prince Albert pictured with their twins for first day of new school term

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco have been photographed together with their young children, putting on yet another show of unity amid rumours about their marriage.

The royal couple was all smiles as they posed with twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, as the twins started a new school year in Monte Carlo.

The eight-year-olds were pictured wearing their red school uniforms for their first day of term at François d'Assise-Nicolas Barré after the summer holidays.

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The photo was shared on the official Instagram account for Monaco's royal family.

In previous years, Princess Charlene has posted photos of her children on her personal Instagram account as they return to school but she recently deactivated her social media page.

The move followed reports in French and German media that she and Prince Albert only saw each other "by appointment" and that Princess Charlene had moved away from Monaco to Switzerland.

The palace is yet to comment on the reports.

Hours before the children's return to school, the royal family joined close to a thousand Monégasques for the annual Monaco picnic.

Also there was Princess Caroline's daughter Charlotte Casiraghi and her husband Dimitri Rassam, and their two sons Raphaël and Balthazar.

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Known locally as U Cavagnëtu, the event is held each year at the Princess Antoinette Park to mark the end of the summer holidays.

It also heralds the return of the royal family to their official duties.

Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella often join their parents for the picnic and this year was no exception.

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They were seen carrying flowers at the event on Saturday, wearing matching white outfits.

The following day, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert travelled to nearby Marseille to watch the Rugby World Cup.

They were photographed at the Stade de Marseille cheering on South Africa and Scotland, with Princess Charlene barracking for South Africa where she spent much of her childhood.

One day earlier, the Princess of Wales was in Marseille to cheer on England in their clash with Argentina, in her role as patron of the Rugby Football Union

Prince William was seen at the match between Wales and Fiji in Bordeaux on Sunday in his role as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.