Princess Charlene of Monaco stuns in a black evening gown as she performs a joint exhibition with Prince Albert to pose with Michelin-starred chefs at the Festival Des Étoilés in Monte Carlo

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco presented a united front as they attended the closing night of the Festival Des Étoilés in Monte Carlo this weekend.

The royal couple – who have faced rumors of their crumbling marriage in recent months – huddled next to each other as they posed for a photo at the glamorous gala honoring Michelin-starred chefs at the end of the high end cooking festival.

The mother-of-two, 45, smiled as she sat down next to her husband, 65, for the glitzy occasion at the Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

She was effortlessly elegant in a black maxi dress that accentuated her silhouette with a cinched waist.

A gold belt added a touch of opulence to the understated look, and the former Olympic swimmer also clutched a leather clutch.

Charlene wore matching earrings and styled her short platinum bob into a chic side part.

Meanwhile, Albert opted for a striking look with a navy blue tuxedo, worn with a bow tie.

Both commemorated the festival that showcases culinary arts with Michelin-awarded chefs – Alain Ducasse, Yannick Alleno, Dominique Lory and Marcel Ravin, all cooking for high-profile guests.

This summer, rumors swirled that the couple were living separate lives, with Charlene spending much of her time in Switzerland.

German newspaper Voici reported that the couple co-parented their eight-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella, but that their marriage itself was “just for appearances” and that they were a “ceremonial couple.”

In stark contrast, the couple appeared to put such rumors to rest at the Rugby World Cup final in October, looking incredibly close as they cheered from the stands.

But their crush was an example of ‘trying too hard’ amid persistent rumors about the state of their marriage, a body language expert has claimed.

Judi James, a British-based expert, assessed the Monegasque royals’ very affectionate body language as South Africa triumphed over the All Blacks to claim the world title at the Stade de France in Paris.

The royal couple – who have faced rumors about their crumbling marriage in recent months – huddled next to each other as they posed for a photo at the glamorous gala honoring Michelin-starred chefs.

As the pair hugged and couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other, Judi explained that the display was ‘awkward’, with the princess leading the way as a stunned prince reacted.

She recalled a visit Prince Albert made to Charlene’s native South Africa during her long stay there, during which she “clung to him like a limpet” during a photo shoot – and reflected that the display of the Monegasque royal family at rugby was not was much different.

Judi also noted that Princess Charlene’s overall body language during public appearances can be difficult to interpret as it “swings between two opposing extremes.”

In September, Charlene also tried to quell persistent rumors that her marriage to Albert is on the rocks, describing them as “exhausting.”

The expert said, “For most of [Charlene’s] In appearance, she will stand tall, stiff and stately, looking distant and terribly sad, with the most tragic-looking eye expression, even if she forces a mouth smile.

Princess Charlene of Monaco gave a loving demonstration with husband Prince Albert at the Rugby World Cup final in Paris last month

The royal was spotted cheering and hugging her Prince Albert as he congratulated her on her home country’s victory against New Zealand at the Stade de France

“But then, rarely but dramatically, she has a habit of using extreme PDAs like the one here.”

Judi added that Charlene was the one ‘leading the PDAs’ at the Stade de France, while Albert’s body language in response indicated he was ‘uncomfortable and slightly shocked’.

She said: ‘Charlene’s excited knuckle bumping looks sweetly childish here and she stares at her husband as if seeking a complimentary response.

“She puts a hand on Albert’s shoulder and moves in for a kiss, though her mouth is still open in a smile and her eyes look away to make this a distracted kiss.”

This summer, rumors swirled that the couple were living separate lives, with Charlene spending much of her time in Switzerland. Both pictured in May

In an earlier interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della SierraAlbert said: ‘I don’t understand all these rumors about us that hurt me… they are lies.’

For her part, Charlene claims that she is “serene and happy” in her marriage, denying rumors that surfaced in the German and French media that she was now “living in Switzerland” and that her marriage was “ceremonial.”

Speaking to South Africa’s News24 before her return last month, the princess, who shares twins Jacques and Gabriella with Prince Albert, said: ‘I find the rumors [about my marriage] tiring and exhausting.’