Hello Monaco #09 Spring–Summer 2020 | Page 54

PORTRAIT
Visit of H.S.H. Princess Charlène of Monaco
and the Sovereign Prince to Burkina Faso in the
presence of the President, Roch Marc Christian
Kaboré, and the first Lady, Sika Kaboré (11th and
12th January 2018).
© Manu Vitali / Palais Princier
colour — to be comfortable with them»,
she remarked to Isabelle Léouffre, journalist
at Paris Match on March 2006. «We live in
a world that can be amazing, where people
have the means to appreciate little things
in life, those that are able to change the
course of a day in a variety of moments of
Happiness», she concluded.
techniques. On 22nd September 2014,
H.S.H. Princess Charlène of Monaco officially
presented her Foundation at the 10th Annual
Clinton Global Initiative meeting set
in New York, warmly greeted by the former
United States President Bill Clinton and
his family who took to heart the cause. In
2014, she was appointed by the President
of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano
as «Knight Grand Cross of the Order of
Merit of the Italian Republic» — the highest
honorific Italian distinction — for her
philanthropic and humanitarian commitment.
This prestigious acknowledgment
was conferred by H.E. Antonio Morabito,
former Ambassador of Italy in Monaco, in
a solemn ceremony held at the Italian Embassy
on the 28th July 2014, in the presence
of the Sovereign Prince and other distinguished
guests.
On November the 21st 2015, Princess Charlène
transmitted her message of friendship
at the 30th Annual Conference for Healthcare
Workers at the Vatican City in Rome.
She spoke about her personal engagement
in raising awareness about the dangers of
water through her Foundation international
action plan addressed to every individual,
family and community. «We will succeed in
saving lives through more international cooperation
in fighting death by drowning,
this terrible, yet silent, killer», she said. Since
its creation, Princess Charlène of Monaco
Foundation has involved close to 730,000
people, mainly child ren, in 34 countries to
learn how better to deal with water, learning
how to swim and benefit from practicing
H.S.H. Princess Charlène of Monaco and the Sovereign Prince assisting at a first aid demonstration at the
Red Cross Multi-functional Training Centre at Loumbila (Burkina Faso, 12th January 2018).
sport to better their lives. «Learn to Swim»
and «Water Safety» are key programs directly
inspired by the World Health Organization
2017 guidance, «Preventing drowning: an
implementation guide». Furthermore, the
«Sport & Education» training scheme makes
sport a valuable tool to encourage the full
development of children and their well-being
as well as to allow talented athletes to
become future champions.
PERSONALITY
Since her appointment, Princess Charlène’s
charisma has been making headway
in building a better future, always with the
result of transmitting good vibes. «I am an
open and positive person; whenever I can,
I try to meet people of every race, religion,
© Manu Vitali / Palais Princier
Princess Charlène’s brother, Gareth, based
in Monaco, is a big fan of hers, being actively
involved in the Princess Charlène Foundation
as its General Secretary. In particular,
he actively promoted a rugby exchange
program for the most needy children as
well as ‘The Riviera Water Bike Challenge’
Gala that significantly helped the humanitarian
cause. Finally, at the Peace and Sport
International Forum, on December 2019,
he signed a partnership agreement to further
improve the role of sport as an educational
tool. But Mr. Gareth Wittstock is
not the only person to support the Princess’
humanitarian commitments with devotion
and consistency. A relevant number
of world champions are following her
in pursuing her Foundation’s mission, and
not casually. Among them the F1 Ferrari
driver, Monegasque Charles Leclerc, the
tennis champion, Novak Djokovic, the Monegasque
record-breaking free-diver, Pierre
Frolla, and many others. There are also
plans for the holding of the first Foundation
Gala which will raise funds allowing for the
development of more projects worldwide.
HelloMonaco thanks the press service of the
Princely Palace in preparing the material and
for the photographs provided.
52 / Hello Monaco Spring–Summer 2020
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