A year after marrying Albert of Monaco and becoming part of the Grimaldi family, Princess Charlene launched a foundation in her name to prevent drownings and promote children’s education through the values of sports. She has become a strong advocate for these causes, aware of her international influence and drawing on her background as an elite swimmer. However, she recently disclosed that the objectives she advocates for have a connection to a life-altering personal tragedy.
Charlene of Monaco has expressed her deep concern about the rise in drownings worldwide in recent years. In 2025 alone, countries like Spain have already recorded 303 drowning deaths, the highest figure in a decade, while in the United States, drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1–4, with 461 children in that age group dying by drowning in 2022, according to the CDC. “Water must remain a place of joy, not of mourning,” she insists, and she is convinced that we can prevent these tragedies. As she told Ouest-France, one of the key prevention measures is “getting children into the water early, under supervision, to teach them how to save themselves, and training adults in the right reflexes.”
A personal loss that changed everything
The Princess emphasizes that behind every victim, there is not only a life lost but also a devastated family, going beyond just the numbers. She knows all too well the pain caused by drownings because she herself has lived through a family tragedy that changed her life forever: “It’s an issue that affects me deeply, not just as a swimmer. As a child, my cousin Richard drowned in a river very close to my uncle’s house. He was only five years old. It was devastating. I don’t think that pain will ever go away.” This is the first time she has spoken about that painful moment.
In 2018 she faced a similar tragedy when the 19-month-old daughter of some friends died. “The little girl often wandered into the neighbors’ garden, and that fateful day she must have fallen into the pool. When they found her, it was already too late. Nothing could bring their baby back to life, and I can’t even imagine the pain they both felt in that moment,” she told Point de Vue.
Since becoming the mother of Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, the Princess was determined that the twins would have a natural and close relationship with water to make sure they felt safe and comfortable. And that’s precisely what happened. Jaki and Bella, as they are lovingly called at home, learned to swim at a very young age to provide them “freedom and safety” and because she believes swimming is a lifelong gift. The twins have inherited their mother’s passion and have even taken beginner diving and water rescue courses at the Monaco naval academy. They also joined an initiative called the Seadventures Summer Camp, where they won a medal.
Princess Charlene: A decade of dedication to water safety
For more than ten years, Princess Charlene has been personally involved in her foundation’s mission to make sure children everywhere learn how to swim and understand the dangers of water. She believes swimming is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and that money should never be a barrier to safety. With this vision in mind, her foundation offers free swimming lessons, school and lifeguard training programs, and educational campaigns in partnership with schools, sports clubs, and academic institutions.
In 2025, the foundation has continued to broaden its reach through a series of meaningful initiatives inspired by Charlene’s personal tragedy. The second edition of Water Safety Days, held on June 11–12 in Messanges and Léon, France, brought communities together for workshops and live demonstrations on drowning prevention. On July 23, the very first Water Safety Day in Jesolo, Italy, gathered experts and residents for practical sessions that stressed the importance of water awareness.
These events go beyond symbolism. They reflect the foundation’s mission to reduce drowning risks through awareness and hands-on training, honoring Princess Charlene’s lasting commitment to saving lives.