A person who for years has belonged to Prince Albert's closest circle has once again broken their silence. This time, they firmly state that everything they've said about Charlene of Monaco's financial extravagance is true.
There's no doubt that the Grimaldi family is going through one of their most delicate moments in recent times. All of this comes as a result of the recent decision by the European Commission to include them on the blacklist of countries that don't meet anti-money laundering standards.
This news has caused a major institutional and reputational shock around Prince Albert II. Moreover, as if that weren't enough, this setback is compounded by accusations made by Claude Palmero, who has decided to break his silence after years of service.
The former accountant of the sovereign has stated that both the prince, Charlene of Monaco, and the rest of the royal family are responsible for opaque management of Monaco's assets.
"His Serene Highness wanted as little paper trail as possible and for his assets to be opaque," he declared during a police interrogation. This way, the so-called 'Claude Palmero affair' has been opened, a plot that exposes alleged money extravagance and dark secrets of the Principality.
Now, the former accountant of Prince Albert has brought to light compromising financial details about the sovereign's circle and his wife, Charlene of Monaco. At this point, he made it clear that everything he has said so far is true.
Prince Albert's former accountant states that Charlene of Monaco may have spent around 16.5 million USD (15 million euros)
Claude Palmero worked for 20 years in the shadow of Prince Albert and Charlene of Monaco, which makes him a very reliable witness. So much so that he knows their lifestyle and every one of their moves perfectly.
Regarding the prince, Palmero has stated that his insensitive gestures are affecting his public image. However, in Charlene's case, he says the information is ambiguous.
Indeed, her actions can seem both generous and excessive, depending on the interpretation. In any case, the focus is on the management of money and the way the princess uses the Principality's funds.
This controversy has been the former accountant's response to the complaints that Prince Albert filed against him a few weeks ago after the leak of his personal notebooks. The sovereign believes he has been a victim of breach of professional secrecy and invasion of privacy.
In these documents, published by Le Monde, the luxurious life led by the sovereign and Charlene of Monaco is detailed, with figures that have caused great astonishment. So much so that, according to Palmero, the princess may have spent around 16.5 million USD (15 million euros) in eight years.
Among the expenses are eccentricities such as the renovation of her villa in Corsica, whose decoration cost about 1.06 million USD (965,000 euros). Another 1.1 million USD (one million euros) would have been invested in redecorating her office inside the Monte Carlo palace.
However, not all the money would have been spent on personal whims. According to Palmero, part of it was sent to the princess's South African relatives, such as her brother Sean Wittstock. In one note, the former accountant records: "Three hundred thousand euros to pay Sean Wittstock for his house."
Meanwhile, Palmero also claims that Charlene of Monaco travels regularly and for long periods, always accompanied by a large group of staff. Despite her few official duties, she keeps an expensive and discretionary lifestyle.
In addition, Palmero stated that in 2017 he was asked to find a "bachelor apartment" for Prince Albert in his name. He also recalled the sovereign's infidelity with former flight attendant Nicole Coste, with whom he had an illegitimate child.