Princess Charlene of Monaco, 47 years old, has shown on numerous occasions that her role in the House of Grimaldi goes much beyond public representation. Over the years, she has driven social projects focused on children's health and well-being.
In the Principality, her name is associated with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, created with the goal of educating and preventing accidents. Water, which has always been a natural environment for her as an Olympic swimmer, has become the center of her philanthropic efforts. Now she has taken another step with an initiative that connects with a personal experience.
A commitment to prevention
Princess Charlene Foundation has been working for years to raise awareness about the importance of learning to swim. Each project seeks to reduce the risks associated with water, especially in childhood. The goal is to ensure that water safety is understood as a basic right.
The princess argues that early education can prevent most drownings. That's why her programs include practical training in pools and school talks. In her view, prevention is the most effective tool to protect lives.
In that sense, she insists that cost should never be an obstacle. Her vision sees swimming as an essential skill that all children must acquire. Just like learning to read or write, swimming should be part of universal education.
The princess's hardest confession
In a recent interview, Charlene of Monaco revealed the root of her commitment. She recalled an episode from her childhood that marked her forever. She referred to the death of her cousin, an event that explains the personal dimension of her current efforts in the foundation she leads.
The princess spoke with restrained emotion about what happened: "Richard drowned in a river, very close to my uncle's house, and it was devastating for the whole family. I don't think that pain will ever go away," she confessed. Her words show that the pain remains present in her memory and in her family's.
That memory is the driving force behind her current actions. Turning tragedy into a life goal allows her to give meaning to her social work. Thus, the prevention of drownings has become her greatest cause.
Education and awareness to save lives
The foundation has launched new international awareness campaigns. Its message is clear: water can be a place for enjoyment, but also for danger. Preparing the youngest reduces the risk of tragedies.
Charlene insists that heat waves and overcrowding in swimming areas have increased the risks. However, she reminds that these can be significantly reduced with preparation measures. The workshops she drives are adapted to the local realities of each country.
The social impact of these initiatives is undeniable. In Spain, for example, more than 300 people have died from drowning so far in 2025. In the face of these figures, her message takes on special value: prevention saves lives.