Charlene, Princess of Monaco
Father Michael Kenneth Wittstock Mother Lynette Humberstone Born (1978-01-25) 25 January 1978 (age 37) Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Religion Roman Catholicism previously Protestantism Occupation Swimmer Monegasque Princely Family HSH The Prince HSH The Princess HSH The Hereditary Prince HSH The Countess of Carladès HRH The Princess of Hanover HSH Princess Stéphanie v t e Charlene Lynette Wittstock (French: Charlène;[fn 2] born 25 January 1978), is a former South African Olympic swimmer who, after marrying Prince Albert II, became Princess of Monaco. Charlene is the daughter of Michael and Lynette Wittstock. She was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to a family of German, Irish and English descent by way of South Africa and Rhodesia. Her family relocated to Transvaal, South Africa, in 1989, after living in Zimbabwe for several years. She represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with her team finishing fifth in the 4 × 100 metre medley relay. She retired from competitive swimming in 2007. Charlene met Prince Albert at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo, Monaco in 2000. They were first seen together in 2006, and she has accompanied the prince on many of his official duties since then. They announced their engagement in June 2010, and were married on 1 July 2011. Princess Charlene's pregnancy was announced on 30 May 2014. On 10 December 2014, Charlene gave birth to Princess Gabriella and Hereditary Prince Jacques.