Everyone knows Charlene of Monaco was an Olympic Swimmer — But there's another sport she's never let go of

Charlene of Monaco is one of the most intriguing figures in European Royalty. Whether it's her close bond with her kids, Jacques and Gabrielle, her marriage to Prince Albert of Monaco, or her elegance and bold style, Charlene is a figure known for her discreet yet committed public agenda. In past weeks, Charlene and Albert have attended various official events within the principality, including the first visit to the Pope in centuries and the inauguration of a sporting event that has close ties to her heart. 

Charlene's lifelong devotion to sport

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Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, Princess Charlene grew up in water. Her mother was a swimming instructor. Since a very young age, Charlene stood out in swimming due to her skill, with her being discussed and highlighted in international sports outlets. By the end of the '90s, she was one of the most promising swimmers in South Africa, accumulating national titles and wins in international competitions. In 2000, she qualified for the Sydney Olympic Games, having her big break in the sport.

This is all common knowledge — what a lot of people don't know is the fact that she's just as passionate about another sport, one she's also followed throughout most of her life. 

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Charlene has been a close follower of rugby. Her father, Michael Kenneth Wittstock, was a rugby player, and used to take her to watch games with her brothers, Gareth and Sean, who also played rugby growing up. Charlene has fueled this passion throughout her life, incorporating it in her royal agenda. Last Friday, she and Albert inaugurated the first edition of the Monaco Sevens.

The Monaco Rugby Sevens

The Princess inaugurated the event alongside the Olympic rugby player Antoine Zeghdar. At the end of the tournament, she and Albert handed the trophy to the Seventise, the winning team. According to the publication Point de Vue, the most exciting moment of the event was related to the rugby legend Christophe Dominici, who died in 2020. His daughters, Kiara and Mya, were in attendance and handed the recognitions to the winning players.

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Last February marked 20 years since the first public date between Albert and Charlene, then known as Charlene Wittstock, with the two seen together at the 2006 Olympic Games in Italy. The pair began their romance in these settings, with her having taken gold in swimming in the year 2000, with Albert presiding over the competition.

Over the past year, Charlene of Monaco has been involved with one of her most personal projects yet. She's behind the Water Safety programme, an initiative led by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, founded years ago with a focus on swimming and teaching values through sport. The programme itself is designed to prevent drownings and teach children different techniques of water rescue.

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