MMA fighter Conor McGregor joins Princess Charlene of Monaco at the Tour de France 

MMA fighter Conor McGregor was reunited with Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II to cheer on competitors at the Tour de France, weeks after they were snapped relaxing together in Monte Carlo.

McGregor, 32, and his girlfriend Dee Devlin, 32, were joined by Princess Charlene, 42, and Prince Albert, 62, in a box to observe the cycling race as competitors set off from Nice, in the South of France, this weekend. 

The couple were all smiles as they watched the riders pass by as part of the 21 day race and the group were spotted cheering on the cyclists. 

It’s not the first time thhe MMA fighter was seen socialising with the royals and last month he took part in a water bike race where he faced off against Princess Charlene in a challenge in the waters off Monte Carlo. 

The former UFC joined the Monaco royal family again this week, this time in the royal cavalcade for the launch of the renowned race – in its 107th year. 

He shared his look for the event – wearing a dark green polo shirt and smart trousers – on Instagram, informing his followers he was off to the event which was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Sharing a snap, he wrote: ‘In the royal cavalcade headed to the launch of the Tour De France 2020.’ 

And speaking on the Tour de France Twitter, he said it was an honour to be at the event to witness the ‘amazing athletes’ take part in the world-famous race.  

The foursome were first snapped together last month as they relaxed on the coast of Monaco. 

Instagram photos from the event showed McGregor and Charlene going head-to-head, with McGregor at one point only narrowly beating former Olympic swimmer Charlene.

The 32-year-old fighter has been embroiled in a string of controversies, including being hit with a driving ban for speeding in 2018 and slapped with a €1000 fine after assaulting a man in Dublin in November last year.

McGregor has spent some of his time with the royals while holidaying in France, with other snaps showing McGregor posing topless with Prince Albert II, 62, and standing with his arms around the royal couple alongside Dee, the mother of his two children. 

It appears the royal connection may go back several years, with McGregor first meeting Princess Charlene of Monaco’s brother, Gareth Wittstock, in May 2016. 

Posting a snap on Facebook at the time, he wrote: ‘The Court of Monaco and his team dropped by the beach house last week! Nice to meet you Gareth my man!’   

McGregor, Dee and children Conor Jr, three, and Croia, 10 month, were seen enjoying family time on a beach in nearby south of France last month. 

McGregor announced late last month he will be among the athletes taking part in a 24 hour charity water bike race in September. 

The challenge, which takes place on 12 and 13 September, will see two teams of four internationally renowned athletes take turns to ‘cycle’ 180km from Calvi, in Corsica, to Monaco.  

Sharing his excitement at taking part, McGregor posted: ‘A Great day racing the water bikes with Princess Charlene of Monaco. A phenomenal athlete and Olympian, we are teaming up for a 180km voyage in September to raise awareness in water safety. I cannot wait! 

‘We will be utilising my training under the McGregor F.A.S.T program to excel on these mounted water bike devices, which are incredibly good! It is like Freedom out there! Thank you for the great day for my family Your Highness.’

The event will benefit the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and raise awareness of its programmes including ‘Learn to Swim’ and ‘Water Safety’, which have been implemented around the world.   

Since the creation of the Princess Charlene Foundation in 2012, more than 730,000 people, particularly children, have benefited from these three programmes in 34 countries. 

Zimbabwean-born Charlene is a committed philanthropist and often draws on her athletic connections to raise money for the fund established in her name.

McGregor has been embroiled in a series of controversies over the years, and last year appeared in court pleading guilty to punching a man in the face in a Dublin pub. 

The ex-UFC fighter, who is worth an estimated £85million, was told he has a month to cough up the money after he admitted hitting Desmond Keogh at the Marble Arch pub in Drimnagh in April 2019. 

The athlete was caught on CCTV hitting Mr Keogh in the face at the Marble Arch pub in Drimnagh on April 6 while visiting to promote a whiskey brand he owns.

Video showed McGregor offering a round of shots to men sitting at the bar, then lashing out when one of them refuses to take the drink.

It was not the only time McGregor has found himself in trouble with the law.

In July 2018 he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct at a Brooklyn court as part of a plea deal to avoid jail time after he threw a metal trolley at a rival’s team bus.

In March 2019 he was arrested in Miami after video showed him stealing and stamping on a fan’s phone as he tried to get a video with him. 

Meanwhile Charlene and Albert tied the knot in 2011 after five years together, going public with their relationship at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Prince Albert is the son of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III of Monaco.