Princess Charlene has spoken candidly on the pain that never "really goes away" as she reflected on a "devastating" family loss.
The wife of Monaco’s reigning Prince Albert revealed how the death of her five-year-old cousin had profoundly affected her.
During the emotional discussion, Charlene promoted what she felt would prevent similar tragic losses in the future.
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The Princess’s cousin, Richard, died when she herself was just a child.
Princess Charlene has spoken candidly about a tragic family loss
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"Richard drowned in a river, very close to my uncle’s house," Charlene began.
"He was only five years old. It was devastating for our whole family.
She concluded the harrowing recollection: "I don’t think that kind of pain ever really goes away."
The trauma from the tragic loss has informed how Charlene has thought about water safety ever since, she told Ouest-France.
The Monegasque royal discussed the impact of the tragic death of her cousin, who drowned aged just five
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Her feelings were brought to the front of her conscience as Monaco and France grapple with a heat wave, seeing many take to the water to cool off.
The unfortunate side effect has been a 45 per cent increase in deaths by drowning between June 1 and July 23, amounting to 193 people.
Charlene shared that she was now "deeply concerned by the sharp rise in the number of drownings".
She feared many were lacking the "best protection" against "merciless" water, knowing how to swim.
Charlene backed further attention on swimming lessons following a worrying increase of frowning deaths in France
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To that end, Charlese declared that learning to swim: "Should be a fundamental right, just like learning to read."
The Princess called for increased focus on free swimming lessons for children and education about the potential dangers of water.
"Cost should never be a barrier to acquiring a life-saving skill," she advised.
Charlene championed further "creativity and cooperation," highlighting her foundations work to set up an "educational swimming pool that is set up in a village for the summer" n the Sarthe region of France.
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Charlene emphasised that swimming should be considered 'a fundamental right, just like learning to read'
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Charlene also called for "more lifeguards" and instructors to help pass on "confidence, respect for the water and the right reactions."
The Princess acknowledged that Monaco enjoys "high-quality facilities and supervision" but warned that "vigilance is still necessary".
"Nowhere is totally safe," she added.
Even still, the Monegasque royal stressed the need to "take the fight beyond our borders".