Lifestyle
Interesting facts about Princess Charlene of Monaco
Charlene revealed that she has grown close with other royal ladies.
- Charlene was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on 25 January 1978, to sales manager Michael Kenneth Wittstock and Lynette Wittstock, who was a former competitive diver and swimming coach. With her parents and two younger brothers, Gareth and Sean, Charlene relocated to South Africa in 1989.
- The future princess met Prince Albert at the Mare Nostrum Swimming event in Monaco in 2000 and the couple soon began dating, although they did not make their first public appearance together until the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
- Charlene soon started supporting Albert on duties in Monaco and around the world, attending the weddings of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in 2010 and Prince William in 2011.
- Since becoming a member of the elegant European set, Charlene revealed that she has grown close with other royal ladies, especially Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. “Maxima has been unbelievably supportive if I need help with anything,” Charlene explained to The Times in 2013.
“Because she came from Argentina and moved to Holland, we have similar lifestyle choices. She has given me advice that I identified with.” - Monaco’s leading lady also counts Britain’s Countess of Wessex as a close friend and the pair are often spotted catching up at royal events. Most recently, the two attended Princess Madeleine of Sweden’s wedding. The former swimmer has also spoken of her admiration for the Duchess of Cam-bridge.
“She is very sweet and lovely,” she explained. “I can understand it must be difficult for everyone being in this situation when you are not born into it.” - In May 2014, it was announced Princess Charlene was pregnant and speculation quickly grew that she and Albert would welcome parents to twins. In October, the Royal Palace confirmed the joyful news.
- Celebrations took place across the Principality on 10 December as Charlene gave birth to twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.
The proud parents presented the pair on the balcony of the palace in early January 2015. - Since marrying her prince, Charlene has settled into her royal role taking on a number of presidencies and patronages including the Special Olympics, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Princess Charlene Foundation and the Giving Organisation Trust.
- Charlene’s official title is Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, which was previously held by the late Grace Kelly.
- A keen swimmer from the age of three, Charlene went on to compete in the 1999 All-African games in Johannesburg winning four gold medals including the 100 m freestyle.
Charlene then went on to represent South Africa at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where, with the South African women’s 4x100m medley, she finished fifth.
