On this July 2, 2011, despite the splendor and prosperity, the case seems badly started. That day, in front of an audience of prestigious invitations, Albert II and Charlene of Monaco become husband and wife in worldview. It is then that during the religious ceremony tears run down the cheeks of the bride. Tears of joy? Nothing is less certain… Some keep in mind this long article from the Sunday newspaper, published a few days earlier. An investigation which affi r-mait that the future bride would have supposed to flee from the Rock on three occasions. So much so that the carabinieri of the principality would have confiscated his passport. Atmosphere… Charlène will have to force herself to deny these allegations in the press a few days after the wedding, nevertheless: starting a job as Princess of Monaco by this kind of controversy, it doesn’t fit her well. And some gossips to wonder: what if the princess dress was too big for her? Charlène will retort with a confidence to a friend who will leak to the press: “Monaco is a village populated by sharks and vipers.” Sharks and vipers? These voracious critters are just small fry in the eyes of the beautiful blonde who rubbed shoulders with real big cats from her early childhood in Southern Rhodesia (south-east Africa). Following a civil war, her native country became Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980, and here was little Charlène, 2 years old, and her parents Michael, a rugby player, and Lynette, a diving champion, forced into exile in South Africa, direction Benoni, a small town located in the bush. Leaving his country in the midst of conflict to live in a segregationist South Africa forged his mind very early on. She remembers in the columns of Paris Match, in July 2016: “I found it weird to be separated from children of color: we had neither the same schools nor the same beaches.” In the 1980s, stars, politicians, young people… everyone rose up against apartheid.

It’s time for mega concerts by U2, Sting or Simple Minds to support political prisoner Nelson Mandela. Result, South Africa finds itself tricarde of world sporting events. Heartbroken, the parents give up their athletic careers. Michael becomes a sales representative and Lynette a lifeguard. In transfer mode, she then trains her child to make her a future champion. One summer evening in 1992, watching TV broadcasting the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympics, Lynette cannot hold back a sob. The teenager whose childhood hero was Zorro swears to his mom: “I promise you, one day I will go to the Games. Pour yourself. We are in 2000. Charlène Wittstock is taking part in the Sydney Olympics under the banner of a South Africa that has become popular again. That day, the champion did wonders in the 200 meter backstroke, which she shattered in 2 minutes 15. In the stands, Albert of Monaco, keen on sports and pretty girls, spotted this beautiful athletic woman. First meeting, first bouquet of flowers… Between the prince and the swimmer, united by common passions such as sport, the sea and the environment, it’s a match! After years of a dotted relationship, the couple made it official during the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, in 2006. Five years later, it was the famous wedding on the Rock. At first, Charlène perfectly married the Monegasque style thanks to her glam physique, reminiscent of that of Princess Grace.

But little by little, the machine seems to pinch itself. The fault in the shade of the illegitimate children that Albert had to recognize before his marriage? The pressure of being constantly compared to Grace of Monaco? “I was confronted with jealousy. That was to be expected… “, analyze with hindsight Charlène in an interview for Paris Match, in August 2020. When in 2014, she gave birth to Jacques (the heir) and Gabriella, everything seemed to be back to normal. Ostensibly. The Monegasque monarchy is not only representative like England or Spain. Prince Albert is actually a head of state’s agenda to manage and that leaves little room for Charlene, who seems to be sinking little by little. She delivers events that are unavoidable for someone of her rank, such as the ball of the Rose or the Red Cross. Noticeable absences that arouse malicious rumours. Her silhouette is slimmer and due to the publication of the photo on which her sad face constantly appears, she receives this nickname: the one who never smiles. Something is wrong in the principality of Charlene… March 2021: the princess flies to South Africa for a two and a half week trip. She will stay there for nearly eight months. Officially, the fault of a serious ENT infection and operations that would prevent him from flying. The Rock is buzzing with new rumours. Charlene left Albert? She has a love? We then mention the name of Vladimir Doronin, a 59-year-old Russian businessman, who was once the boyfriend of Naomi Campbell, a former affair of Albert… Baseless allegations. Charlène ends up returning to Monaco in November 2021 in a worrying physical state: pale, skin on bones, a hunting dog as a companion… Information provided an addiction to powerful sleeping pills, she would have freaked out and injured paid companion. Three days after her return, at worst, Charlène was interned in a specialized institution for “a state of profound general fatigue”. She hits rock bottom. It only remains for him to rise to the surface with a good kick. Rested, invigorated, she finally appears in good shape in June 2022 on the Rock. At 45, she seems more fulfilled than ever, ready for a new start…

A very sporty love life

The former lovers of the princess are not plethoric, but all have one thing in common: they are accomplished athletes. There was Robin Francis, an international swimmer born in South Africa, who represented Great Britain, then the Swede Lars Frolander and another swimmer, Italian this time, named Massimiliano Rosolino. Their relationship will last three years. Subsequently, Charlène will fall under the spell of rugby player Andre Snyman for a story that will break her heart in 2003. And one day, her prince came…

They run, they run the rumors

Before

©Bestimage

After

©Bestimage

A princess, especially when she is in distress, is plagued by rumors. During 2021, while Charlène was recluse in a rest home, some spoke of a failed facelift that she was trying to catch up. Not super classy… In the same register, the Belgian journalist Bertrand Deckers imagined, as for him, in TPMP false tooth implants. Latest? Albert would put pressure on Charlene to have a third child in order to silence the rumors about their relationship. What the princess completely denied in Nice morning in August 2022.

A princess in her works

South African, Charlène is very sensitive to the problems of health and poverty, especially among children. Throughout her life, she gave swimming lessons and followed her husband in charity work. 2012, she leads her lively foundation on children through a sports and education program. On the animal cause side, Charlène has been helping, since 2021, rhinos threatened by poachers. With it, rhinos see life in pink…

YEAR 70-80 Born on January 25, 1978 in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Two years later, the family left for South Africa and settled in the town of Benoni. “I’m a little South African cowgirl,” she likes to tell reporters.

2000 Olympic swimmer, Charlène won three gold medals on the World Cup circuit in 2002. In 2000, at the Sydney Games, she met a certain Albert from Monaco.

2006 On the occasion of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Charlène and Albert decide to formalize their love. Between them, it’s serious!

2011 Shortly after the union of Kate and William, the Rock offers the second marriage of the century of the year, in July. Charlene is radiant in an Armani dress that needs 5,000 hours of work.

2014 She gave birth to twins on December 10, 2014: Jacques the heir to the principality and Princess Gabriella. Mission accomplished !

2021 During a trip to South Africa, Charlène suffers from a serious ENT infection which forces her to stay away from her family for months. A dark time for the blonde princess.

2022 Back from her health problems, Charlène is reborn in grand champion mode. She will turn 45 on January 25.