PICTURES. Who was Charlene of Monaco before starting a family with Prince Albert II?
Charlene of Monaco, 45, has been married to Prince Albert II of Monaco since 2011. Three years later, in 2014, the couple welcomed twins, Jacques and Gabriella, much to their delight.
The two little 8-year-old blond heads are a real treat for the former swimmer of South African origin. “When I’m alone with them, the children bicker about who is going to sleep with mum”she explained in an interview with Point of view in November 2019.”They love to climb into our bed, so we often find ourselves a little cramped there.“, continued Charlene of Monaco.
Charlene of Monaco, the champion of the princesses
Before marrying and starting a family, the princess was an athlete who sacrificed her youth for her sport, swimming. At the age of 16, she abandoned her studies to become a high-level swimmer. A paying strategy since at 18, she won the South African junior championships. Also in his prize list, the gold medal in the 200 meters backstroke at the Monaco International Swimming Meeting. After a shoulder injury, she finally decided to end her career in 2007.
Life fortunately reserves other beautiful surprises for Charlene of Monaco. The public discovered her alongside her future husband in 2006, at the opening ceremony of the Turin Olympics. It was only four years later and after several appearances together, on June 23, 2010, that the principality announced the couple’s engagement. Prince Albert II and his beautiful married on July 1, 2011 during a civil ceremony. On July 2, 2011, a religious ceremony was organized at the Palace of Monaco.