Athlete, Olympian, Princess. Hsh Princess Charlene Of Monaco Has Led An Extraordinary Existence. She Gives Us A Glimpse Into Life As A Royal – And The Fitness Routine That Keeps A 40-year-old Mom Of Twins Looking This Good
“Hi, I’m Charlene.” It’s not a sentence I ever expected to hear from Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco. Just moments before, the crew had been debating appropriate ways to address her. There was a brief mention of curtsying. But as the princess warmly shakes hands with every member of the crew, laughing and cracking jokes, her South African accent 100 percent intact, it's evident that she’s still one of us – just with a whole lot more responsibility.
Life in the spotlight
Charlene arrives at our makeshift photography studio in a ballroom at Emperors Palace wearing a simple button-down shirt, skinny jeans and boots, almost no make-up. “I’m sorry about this,” she says, waving one hand to display dark, vampy nail polish. “I was at the Laureus World Sports Awards last night.” As if we hadn’t all been scrolling through tabloid images of the princess in her one-shouldered Stella McCartney evening gown and, yes, wondering how on earth she was going to make it to a cover shoot halfway around the world just hours later.
“At some point in the evening, you may have noticed you didn’t see me anymore,” she says. “That’s when I left, got straight into a car, onto the plane and woke up here in South Africa.”
That’s one helluva juggling act. But, for Charlene, it’s not unusual. “This is my life,” she says. “I have five or six events in three countries to go to in the space of five days. I have to pack for all kinds of conditions – rain, snow, sport... I never just go to one place, it’s always one and then the other and the other. And if it’s an official event, the protocols are different, so I have to be prepared for everything.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.