Princess Charlene: The Family Tragedy Behind Her Advocacy for Swimming Lessons

Princess Charlene of Monaco, in an interview with the French newspaper Ouest-France, revealed a personal tragedy that drove her to advocate for swimming lessons as a fundamental right.

Princess Charlene confessed that her cousin, Richard, drowned at the age of five, an event that marked her and her family. "I don't think that pain ever goes away," said the 47-year-old wife of Prince Albert.

The Princess emphasized that learning to swim should be "a fundamental right, just like learning to read." The confession comes at a time of an alarming increase in drownings, with 193 deaths in France alone in June and July.

The royal family's foundation, Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, promotes water safety through programs such as Learn to Swim, Water Safety, and Sports and Education. It has helped more than one million people in 43 countries.

Princess Charlene, a former professional swimmer, participated in the annual Water Safety Day at Larvotto beach. Before marrying Albert in 2011, she competed for South Africa at the 2000 Olympic Games. The couple has twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.