FLASHBACK – Charlene of Monaco: comment has she met Albert of Monaco?
Charlene of Monaco celebrates her 44th birthday this Tuesday, January 25. The opportunity to look back on her meeting with her husband, Prince Albert. Their eyes met for the first time more than ten years before their marriage. Gala tells you everything.
Princess Charlene of Monaco blows out her 44 candles this Thursday, January 25. To mark the occasion, Prince Albert had a delicate attention to his desire, the publication of a photo album retracing the life of his wife, in particular her past as a professional swimmer. It was also in 2000, at a swimming competition, that Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert met for the first time, more than ten years before their union in 2011. The South African swimmer came to the Rock to participate in the Mare Nostrum, a tournament reimbursed by Prince Albert. During this competition, she won two events, the 100m and 200m backstroke. To honor his victories, Prince Albert gives her a bouquet of flowers.
In June 2001, the young woman returned to Monaco. According to our colleagues from Cosmopolitan, Charlene is evoked at a café terrace by Prince Albert, who invites him to dinner. In 2005, Charlene Wittstock contacted the Albert again to give him his condolences following the death of his father, Prince Rainier III. It was only in 2006 thatthey formalize their relationship at the Turin Olympics, in Italy. Both sports buffs, especially bobsleigh for Caroline of Monaco’s brother, Charlene and Albert II enjoy the show side by side. Subsequently, they attended many sports competitions together, such as the Rugby World Cup held in France in 2007. On the Rock, the young woman accompanied the prince to the Red Cross Ball or even at Monaco Grand Prix. Two appointments that she did not honor in 2021, arousing the concern of Monegasques.
⋙ PHOTOS – Charlene of Monaco: these men who mattered in her life
From their lavish wedding to divorce rumors
The two lovebirds became engaged on June 23, 2010. The prince then said about Charlene: “I wish (…) that it integrates into the life of my country”. Their wedding is designated the following year, in the main courtyard of the Monegasque palace, transformed for the occasion into an open-air “cathedral”. On July 1, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert described their tin wedding. However, the health problems of Jacques and Gabriella’s mother come to tarnish this beautiful fairy tale and fuel rumors of divorce.
Photo credits: Bruno Bébert / Bestimage