Who is the South African married to the Prince of Monaco? Charlene (French: Charlène [ʃaʁlɛn]; born Charlene Lynette Wittstock, 25 January 1978) is Princess of Monaco as the wife of Prince Albert II. Before her marriage, Charlene was an Olympic swimmer representing South Africa. Charlene was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).Charlene Lynette Wittstock The wedding took place at the royal palace by the Mediterranean, where a more elaborate religious ceremony is to be held on Marriage Main article: Wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Charlene Wittstock Wittstock met Albert II, Prince of Monaco, in 2000 at the Mare Nostrum swimming meet in Monaco. They made their public debut as a couple at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics. She accompanied him to the weddings of the Crown Princess of Sweden in 2010 and of the Prince of Wales in 2011. The Prince and Princess at the “Cinema Against AIDS” Gala with Karl Lagerfeld (right) in 2011 On 23 June 2010, the palace announced their engagement. Her engagement ring featured a pear-shaped three-carat diamond at the centre and surrounding diamond brilliants. The ring was reported to be created by Parisian jeweller Repossi. Wittstock, who was raised a Protestant, converted to Catholicism, despite it not being a requirement in the Constitution of Monaco. The future princess was also instructed in French and the Monégasque dialect, and became familiar with European court protocol. The wedding was originally scheduled for 8 and 9 July 2011, but was moved forward to prevent a conflict with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Durban on 5–9 July, which they both attended. The couple had invited members of the IOC, including President Jacques Rogge, to their wedding. The couple was married in a civil ceremony on 1 July 2011 in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. Wittstock was reported to be in tears during the wedding. The religious ceremony took place in the courtyard of the palace on 2 July, and was presided over by Archbishop Bernard Barsi. The couple honeymooned in Mozambique. On 30 May 2014, the palace announced Charlene’s pregnancy. It was confirmed on 9 October 2014 that the couple was expecting twins by the end of the year. On 10 December 2014, her twins were born at The Princess Grace Hospital Centre. Princess Gabriella was born first, followed by Hereditary Prince Jacques, who is heir apparent to the throne. Princess of Monaco The Princess wearing white on an official state visit to the Vatican in 2016 Since 2009, she has been honorary president of Ladies Lunch Monte-Carlo.Since 2010, Princess Charlene has been associated with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. In May 2011, she became a global ambassador for the Special Olympics, promoting ‘respect and inclusion’ for people with intellectual disabilities worldwide. She has stated that the movement is close to her heart as a former athlete, and values its role in “using the power of sport to change lives”. In July 2011, she became a co-patron of Giving Organisations Trust, a group of South African charities that work with AIDS, underprivileged children, and environmentalism. Princess Charlene is a trustee of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, and attends their annual awards ceremony. Charlene regularly participates in fundraising events for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. She is currently the honorary president of Monaco Against Autism. In 2012, she became the patron of AS Rugby Monaco and also the honorary president of Monaco Liver Disorder and the MONAA association. In October 2012, she accompanied the Prince on a visit to Warsaw, Poland. In 2014, Charlene was the recipient of the “Champion of Children” Award for her commitment to children’s rights, presented by the Colleagues, a social services institution. In 2016, she become the patron of the South African Red Cross Society on its 68th anniversary. In September 2016, Charlene attended World First Aid Day in Geneva as an ambassador for the event. The Princess created the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in December 2012, with a mission to put an end to drowning using childhood awareness and preventative measures.[2] In September 2014, she formerly presented her foundation at the 10th Annual Clinton Global Initiative Meeting in New York City. In November 2015, Charlene partnered with the Pontifical Council and attended the 20th Annual Conference for Healthcare Workers at the Vatican, where she spoke about efforts against the global drowning epidemic. In June 2020, the Foundation made masks for residents of Monaco amidst COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, Charlene undertook a trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, on behalf of the Foundation. She visited the Olympic Village and sports facilities in conjunction with government officials, and later donated a travel bus to the Tbilisi Rugby Club Team. She also took meetings with Paralympic athletes and visited the Ai la foundation, a rehabilitation centre for children with hearing loss. She attended lunch with Salome Zourabichvili, the president of Georgia, at the Presidential Palace of Georgia, discussing diplomatic and philanthropic matters. Health In May 2021, while on a trip to raise awareness about the issue of rhinoceros poaching in Southern Africa, Princess Charlene caught an ear, nose, and throat infection. She had a sinus lift and bone grafting procedure earlier in the spring. The condition led to problems with equalising pressure and prevented her from flying above 20,000 feet. She missed a scheduled appearance at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, as she was unable to travel back to Monaco. After multiple procedures, Charlene was medically advised to remain in South Africa, away from her family. Subsequently, she missed the tenth anniversary commemorations of her marriage in June, which Charlene stated was “extremely difficult” and saddened her. In August 2021, she underwent a four-hour surgery that required general anesthetic. In September 2021, she was hospitalised again because of a “medical emergency” pertaining to ENT complications. On 8 October 2021, it was announced that she had undergone a final procedure. She returned to Monaco on 8 November 2021. On 16 November 2021, the palace announced that Charlene would be resting and that she had cancelled all her activities, including those of Monaco’s national celebrations, owing to ill-health, especially “deep fatigue.” It was reported that she would spend her recovery period in a location outside Monaco. After a four-month stay at a Swiss clinic, the palace stated in March 2022 that Charlene was back in Monaco with her family and was expected to restart her duties gradually as her health further improved. In June 2022, Charlene tested positive for COVID-19 and began self-isolation in accordance with health rules Saturday. Charlene Princess Charlene at the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden in June 2013 Princess consort of Monaco Tenure 1 July 2011 – present Born Charlene Lynette Wittstock 25 January 1978 (age 46) Mater Dei Hospital, Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Spouse Albert II, Prince of Monaco (m. 2011) Issue Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco Father Michael Wittstock Mother Lynette Humberstone Occupation Swimmer Signature Sports career hide Medal record Women’s swimming Representing South Africa Commonwealth Games 2002 Manchester 4 x 100 m medley All-Africa Games 1999 Johannesburg 100 m freestyle 1999 Johannesburg 100 m backstroke 1999 Johannesburg 4 x 100 m medley 1999 Johannesburg 4 x 100 m freestyle Princely family of Monaco The Prince The Princess The Hereditary Prince The Countess of Carladès The Princess of Hanover Princess Stéphanie Up to 3,500 guests are to attend lavish celebrations in Monaco afterwards. Ms Wittstock, 33, who swam in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is now Her Serene Highness, Princess Charlene. Earlier in the week the palace denied reports in the French press that Ms Wittstock was having second thoughts about the wedding. Prince Albert II, 53, has been the ruler of Monaco since the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, in 2005. The guest list includes heads of state and royalty, from French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the heir to the Spanish throne, as well as fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and supermodel Naomi Campbell. Charlene Wittstock’s wedding dress was designed by Giorgio Armani. Rumours denied Thousands of Monegasques crowded the plaza outside the palace for the civil wedding. Inside, Philippe Narmino, the president of Monaco’s Council of State, declared the couple “united by bonds of marriage”. The event was clouded by press reports suggesting that Ms Wittstock had come close to returning to South Africa, after learning secrets about Prince Albert’s private life. Image caption, The civil ceremony took place in this lavish room at the palace The royal family dismissed the claims, as well as suggestions she had only turned back after royal aides persuaded her to stay. “These rumours have no other goal than to severely damage the reputation of the monarch and thereby that of Miss Wittstock and severely undermine this happy event,” said the palace. Ryk Neethling, a fellow South African Olympic swimmer said: “I just spoke to her assistant and whatever the story is, it’s not true. “I called her and asked if everything is okay, and they said everything is fine.” Glamorous past Charlene Wittstock was born in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo, moving to South Africa with her family at the age of 12. She represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games before competing in Sydney as part of the women’s medley relay team that finished fifth in the final. Prince Albert was also an athlete, competing in bobsleigh in five Olympics. The Prince and Ms Wittstock made their relationship public by appearing together at the Turin Winter Olympics of 2006, after meeting in 2000 at a swimming event in Monaco. She ended her swimming career in 2007 and has travelled widely for charity events with her fiance. The tiny principality, which covers about 2 sq km (less than one square mile), is the world’s smallest independent state after the Vatican City. It has seen glamorous weddings in the past. In 1956 the Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier. The wedding ushered in an unprecedented era of glamour that ended with her death in a car crash in 1982.