Charlene of Monaco: this little-known drama that marked her childhood
A veil of mystery surrounded Charlene of Monaco. Difficult to pierce the secrets that surround the princess. Long Month Absent Pendant due to health problems, the wife of Prince Albert finally succeeded a return to grace on the Rock. Present at many commitments in recent weeks, the Monegasques have been able to count on her during the traditional celebrations of Sainte Dévote with her children, while the sovereign was affected by Covid-19. Serene, smiling, Charlene of Monaco seems to be getting better and better.
Charlene of Monaco, a complex personality, that Arlene Prinsloo, author of the biography History of Charlène: the astonishing destiny of the swimmer who became Princess of Monaco which will be published by Éditions de l’Archipel on May 25, tried to decipher, to understand. The crowned head specialist looked in particular at her childhood, revealing an unknown drama that must have deeply touched the child she was and shaped her character. In effect, “the Wittstock house in Rhodesia (currently Zimbabwe editor’s note) was burned down by rebels. It was during the Rhodesian Bush war” explains Arlene Prinsloo, before adding: “The Wittstocks stayed in a hotel for a while before emigrating to South Africa”.
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“The life I had known was over”
An unknown drama about named the Princess of Monaco had agreed to say a few words. “My father told us: Grieve, we won’t be going back. My brothers were six and seven years old. All my friends, Sunday afternoons when we played cricket on the farms… the life I had known was over“, had seriously responsible Charlene to the South African journalist Hanlie Retief in February 2019. A family tragedy which explains why the members of the clan are so united. Charlene of Monaco is very attached to his parents Lynette and Michael, as well as his two brothers, Gareth, who lives on the Rock by her side and Sean, still reside in South Africa but who multiplies the round trips to see her sister who has become a princess.
Photo credits: Bruno Bébert / Bestimage