Being a member of a royal family naturally involves dedicating yourself to a number of causes, and it’s hardly a surprise that many of those are born from a special personal connection. Princess Eugenie famously suffered from scoliosis in her youth, and is now the patron for a number of organizations dedicated to spinal health and healing. Kate Middleton’s mission to promote childhood development and mental health has grown along with her three children.
Likewise, Princess Charlene of Monaco’s longtime devotion to the cause of promoting water safety has always seemingly been shaped by the royal’s history as an Olympic swimmer. However, in a rare, candid interview, the princess revealed that the root of her dedication runs much deeper, to a family tragedy that permanently reshaped her priorities.
Speaking to the publication Ouest-France, Charlene revealed that her inspiration to promote youth swimming lessons and water safety was inspired in part by her cousin, Richard, who drowned during childhood.
“Richard drowned in a river, very close to my uncle’s house,” Charlene said. “He was only five years old. It was devastating for our whole family. I don’t think that kind of pain ever really goes away.”
Since marrying Prince Albert in 2011, Charlene has made drowning prevention one of her pet causes. In 2014, she created the Princesse Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which now hosts water safety events and swimming lessons in multiple countries. Learning to swim, Charlene said, “should be a fundamental right, just like learning to read.” She added, “Cost should never be a barrier to acquiring a life-saving skill.”
Charlene herself is often present for water safety events around Monaco, and even brought France’s first lady Brigitte Macron along to one earlier this summer during the French state visit.
Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.