As Charlene once toldThe Times, the couple spent their entire first date “laughing and talking.”
Perhaps, their connection blossomed from a mutual experience of an unusual past.
Leading up to the competition, however, Charlene was not just your average team member.
In fact, she was selected to model the official uniform for the 2000 South African Olympic swim team.
However, reports indicate that she was quite good at showing off her clothes for the cameras.
“She became the pinup girl for swimming in the good sense of the world [sic].
She was an immediate hit at the South African Championships.”
Although her Olympic performances happened to be lackluster, Charlene still brought home plenty of gold over the years.
In the African Games, she also won three races throughout her career.
Unfortunately, though, this seemed to be too much to expect of Charlene.
In the end, this mishap got in the way of the whole commercial shoot.
“Obviously, filming was delayed, as she had to get dry again.”
He was also the man who helped convince her to continue her swimming career.
At the time, the Olympian and the former president were both in London.
Between a shoulder injury and a chronic stomach virus, Charlene wondered if her athletic career was done for.
Mandela, however, told her not to give up.
Apparently, the future princess took this advice to heart.
Thanks to Mandela, Charlene was back in action.
They’ll say to me, ‘So where is your tiara?
And, why are you not wearing a dress?
And, is your palace pointy?'"
If anything, she has tended to be against it.
“Actually, I avoided princess parties, and it was hard to keep me in a dress.
My hero was Zorro, so I wanted to be him.”
However, as an adult, she has had to take a more neutral perspective.
The bride-to-be replied confidently.
And, I’ve obviously been on a couple of head of state trips with [Albert]."
Eight years later, though, Charlene’s reaction to royal rules came to resemble bafflement.
All in all, Charlene said that following strict royal rules did not exactly make for a positive experience.
Naturally, this change in her personal life has also led to changes in her body.
It has also been suggested that Charlene made other physical alterations as she integrated into palace life.
A 2017 report inEl Paisalleged that the princess had also engaged in a great deal of cosmetic surgery.
Among the most obvious of these are rhinoplasty and breast augmentation."
Prince Albert denied these claims in an exclusive interview withPeople.
She was well-liked by her old coaches and teammates.
Plus, as a former Olympian, she had met interesting people from all over the world.
Her training schedule involved long hours in the pool and constant travel both of which complicated any potential romance.
Apparently, it was particularly difficult for Charlene to find partners who would accept her busy travel schedule.
I’ve had boyfriends that would have other girlfriends by the time I get back from my trips.
I try not to get too involved because I get heartbroken."
She and Prince Albert two got along swimmingly and one thing led to another.
Before long, the couple found themselves deep in the throes of wedding planning.
Especially for Char who was not used to that kind of a large and this was BIG!
Rumor has it thatPrincess Charlene became overwhelmed planning the weddingdue to its magnitude.
“There were huge arguments.
Not between us but with everybody,” Caroline told People.
When asked what caused this sort of conflict, the older princess went on to say, “Everything!
Because of this, she founded thePrincess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, an organization dedicated to water-related education.
In the past, Charlene herself has competed in this event, facing off against world-famous athletes.
But, the princess does not go into the race unprepared.
Charlene had her eyes on the gold medal; Albert had his eyes on Charlene.
The future princess won her race, and her husband-to-be handed her a prize.
Afterward, he spotted her out at lunch and asked her on a date.
So I said jokingly he should ask the team management for permission.”
Riddin humorously agreed under the condition that Albert pose for a picture of him.
As Prinsloo revealed in her research, nobody on the swim team took the date seriously.
