Princess Charlene of Monaco has called for swimming to be recognised as a basic right for all children, warning that cost should not prevent young people from acquiring life-saving skills.
The Princess, who competed as an Olympic swimmer before marrying Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011, has devoted much of her royal work to promoting water safety and drowning prevention.
Through her foundation, she runs initiatives around the world to teach children to swim and to raise awareness of the risks in and around water.
Speaking in an interview with Ouest-France, Charlene said: “Learning to swim should be a fundamental right, just like learning to read.” She added: “Cost should never be a barrier to acquiring a life-saving skill.”
Princess Charlene recalls cousin’s tragic death as she opens up about family heartbreak
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Her remarks come as new figures reveal a worrying rise in drownings across France. Between June 1 and July 23, 2025, 193 people lost their lives to drowning — a 45 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Charlene described herself as “deeply concerned by the sharp rise in the number of drownings.”
Princess Charlene previously revealed her passion for swimming stems from personal loss, after tragically losing her cousin at a young age.
“Richard drowned in a river, very close to my uncle’s house. 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,” she said.
Since launching her foundation in 2012, the Princess has worked to combine education with practical training.
Princess Charlene was an Olympic swimmer before marrying Albert
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The annual Water Safety Day in Monaco, founded in 2014, offers schoolchildren a chance to spend a full day learning swimming techniques, first aid and rescue skills.
The programme has since expanded beyond Monaco. Most recently, Charlene introduced a new edition in Italy, where schoolchildren practised using tube buoys and nipper boards, took part in coastal rescue exercises and were taught introductory CPR.
Charlene’s global outreach has also included Learn to Swim initiatives and awareness campaigns in countries ranging from South Africa to the United States.
By targeting schools and community groups, the foundation aims to ensure that even children without access to facilities can gain confidence in the water.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at the Coronation
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Princess Charlene and Prince Albert married in 2011
| PAThe Princess has often spoken about her own experiences as a professional athlete, shaping her work. Before her marriage, she represented South Africa in swimming at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Now, she has sought to use her sporting background to highlight both the joys of swimming and the dangers posed by a lack of water safety awareness.
While acknowledging that public engagement and infrastructure differ from country to country, Charlene insists that drowning prevention should be prioritised everywhere. Her foundation’s core message remains the same: that swimming is not a privilege but an essential skill, one that can save lives.