Biography
H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco, born Charlene Lynette Wittstock on January 25, 1978, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, has been the wife of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco since 2011.
Early Life and Origins
Charlene is the daughter of Michael Wittstock (born in 1946), a former sales director, and Lynette Wittstock (born in 1959), a former swimmer and swimming instructor. She grew up alongside her two younger brothers: Gareth (born in 1982), Secretary General of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, and Sean (born in 1983).
In 1989, at the age of 12, Charlene and her family moved to South Africa. She was raised in Benoni, near Johannesburg, in an environment that fostered both athletic development and humanitarian awareness.
Athletic Career
Charlene Wittstock developed a passion for swimming from a very young age and quickly rose through the ranks, first nationally and then internationally. In 1996, at the age of 18, she won the South African Championships.
In 2000, she competed in the Sydney Olympic Games as part of the South African team, which placed fifth in the 4 × 100 metre medley relay. That same year, she won a gold medal in the 200 metre backstroke at the Monaco Mare Nostrum International Swimming Meeting.
In 2002, she earned three gold medals at the Swimming World Cup (50 m and 100 m backstroke, 4 × 100 m relay), as well as a silver medal in the 4 × 100 m relay at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Though she had qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, she was forced to retire from competitive swimming in 2007 due to injury.
Family Life
Charlene met H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2000 during a swimming competition held in Monaco. Their engagement was announced in June 2010.
The civil wedding ceremony took place on July 1, 2011, in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace, followed by the religious ceremony on July 2 in the Palace’s Courtyard of Honour.
Since then, she has held the title of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, along with the female titles associated with the historical titles of the Sovereign Prince.
On December 10, 2014, the Princess gave birth to twins: H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Jacques, Marquis of Baux, and H.S.H. Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès.
Humanitarian and Philanthropic Commitment
Deeply influenced by her childhood in Africa and the inequalities she witnessed, Princess Charlene has been committed from a young age to supporting underprivileged children, notably through volunteer swimming instruction.
She regularly accompanies Prince Albert II on humanitarian missions and represents the Principality at numerous charitable events, including the Red Cross Ball, the Rose Ball, and amfAR events.
President:
- President and founder of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Established in December 2012, the Foundation’s mission is to save lives by fighting drowning and promoting the educational values of sport.
- Society for the Protection of Animals – Since September 2022
- Monegasque Rugby Federation – Since October 2024. Princess Charlene is notably the initiator of the Sainte Dévote Tournament and the Rugby Exchange programme, which fosters intercultural exchange through sport.
Vice-President:
- Monaco Red Cross – Since August 1, 2021
Honorary President:
- Special Olympics Monaco – Since 2012
- Pink Ribbon Monaco – Since 2024
Patron:
- Nelson Mandela Foundation – Since 2010
- Special Olympics Charity Foundation – Since 2011
- Born Free Foundation – Since 2011
- South African Red Cross – Named patron in July 2016, during the 68th Gala
Honours and Distinctions
- Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles (2012)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2012)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy (2014)
- Vermeil Sports Medal (2022)
- Insignia of Dame of Honour and Devotion of the Order of Malta (2025)
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (2025)
