Charlene of Monaco, a serene athlete
COURSE SIDE – Forgotten health problems, Princess Charlene has found a smile and official outings.
Monegasque National Day, 10th anniversary of its Foundation to fight against drowning, Christmas at the Prince’s Palace, distribution of beneficiaries to parcels from the Monegasque Red Cross, 20th anniversary of Action Innocence Monaco, Christmas ball at the Hermitage… until the very beautiful family photo in the guard room of the palace where the Christmas tree was installed, Princess Charlene is radiant and the time of health tests already seems a distant memory.
As proof the interview that the wife of the Sovereign Albert II attributed to the daily Monaco-Morning in mid-December to celebrate ten years of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, in the company of her husband and her brother, Gareth Wittstock, who is its secretary general. A foundation that is close to his heart, because it “raises public awareness of drowning prevention and the education of children through sport” and which supports 510 projects in 43 countries, already received by more than a million people around the world with water safety courses.
“I feel so much better today”
The former swimming champion has succeeded in having drowning recognized as a real public health problem. And as the princess recalls, “in 2021, the United Nations adopted the first-ever drowning prevention resolution and proclaimed July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day.” If Princess Charlene has little taste for the exercise of the interview, she reveals herself to be sincere, natural, and successful in the face of Cédric Verany’s questions. She gives reassuring news about her health. “I feel so much better today than I have in the past few years. I feel less pain and much more energy. I continue to recover, to rebalance myself. It will still take time but I am happy. My family and those I love are my rock”.
In this same interview, the princess charlene discusses her new responsibilities as President of the Monegasque Animal Protection Society, taking over from the late Princess Antoinette (Prince Rainier III’s older sister). “I am very proud and very happy to take on these responsibilities within an association whose cause is very dear to my heart. I grew up in South Africa, allowed by animals. And I continue to live with six dogs (including chihuahuas Harley and Tia), pets, farm animals… Our priority today is animal welfare and one of our ideas is to reduce the coming time that animals will be spent at the shelter, encouraging the public to adopt them… I also intend to raise awareness, especially in schools, with children, to explain to them that adopting a dog or a cat entails responsibilities and homework. And to remember that a pet is not a toy.
Accomplicating twins
the Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, the 8-year-old twins of the princely couple, therefore went to a good school. “They are beginning to understand their role. They know how to observe and learn, before it becomes natural for them” says their mother, very proud of the unique bond they have woven between them, “they love each other and allow each other another and are part of an immense benevolence between them”. In the Principality of Monaco, the year 2023, which will be that of the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of the prince builder Rainier III, is therefore announced under the best auspices.