We're All In This Together

Princess Charlene of Monaco talks about Prince Albert’s recovery from Covid-19, home-schooling the twins and her new campaign to help SA’s most vulnerable

- Nici De Wet

It's a pandemic that spares no one. Kings and queens, princes and princesses, presidents and prime ministers – anyone and everyone has been affected in one way or another by a silent killer that’s ripped the rug out from under the world. Just ask Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco. Her life may be worlds away from how she grew up, with home now a pink palace perched on one of the most exclusive pieces of land on the planet.

But privilege doesn’t prevent disease and her family is proof of that: her husband, Prince Albert, was the first head of state to be struck down by the virus.

Yet what does someone like Charlene do when life hands her lemons? Make lemonade – for other people.

The 42-year-old former South African swimmer has launched an ambitious charity drive under the auspices of her Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa.

The #strongtogether campaign kicked off in SA recently, driven by celebrities who challenge each other to raise funds for a charity of their choice and the princess’ foundation.

“I have the chance to be in a privileged environment but I’ve never forgotten my roots and I’m committed to devoting myself to others through the actions of my foundation,” she tells YOU in an exclusive interview from the principality.

“‘Strong Together’ is a message of unity and solidarity initiated by the Monaco government [after the outbreak of Covid-19]. It’s something both Albert and I support, and I wanted to take it on as a project for my foundation.

“We want to reach out to those affected by this pandemic, whether it’s as a result of medical needs, hunger or joblessness.”