As you know, Miss Charlene Wittstock, the future Princess of Monaco, has been in South Africa for the past week and a half to raise money for the Special Olympics by participating in the Midmar Dam race.

Whilst in her homeland, Miss Wittstock gave an interview to the South African magazine, YOU, whereupon she discussed her life in Monaco, her family, and her swimming career.

Anyway, there are some new photos of her (wearing a 1940s inspired dress with her hair in a lovely chignon) prior to her interview with YOU magazine.   Click the link to view: Charlene Wittstock

Here’s a snippet from the interview with Talk Radio 702 and a short summary from Channel 24, South Africa:

She also admitted that in the beginning, it was very difficult for her to adapt to Monaco’s culture, food and people, especially since she is a vegetarian (glad to her she doesn’t eat slaughter animals.)

On asking her what she busies herself with in Monaco, she said that she has always been involved with charity work, long before she met “the prince”, as she calls him.

According to Wittstock, she will still do humanitarian work after her wedding.

Charity organisations

A normal day for Wittstock consists of getting a cup of coffee first thing, checking e-mails, studying a thick file which deals with protocol and preparing herself for the upcoming ceremony.

She says she’s presently learning a lot about protocol, they regularly travel to other countries and she also learns what the prince keeps himself busy with.

In the evenings, Wittstock keeps herself busy by spending time at charity organisations.

Wittstock didn’t want to confirm whether she and Prince Albert will be attending the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, but she did, however, say that they would send a representative to attend on their behalf if they were not able to make it to the ceremony.

 

On February 12, 2011, the soon-to-be Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, swam the 38th aQuelle Midmar Mile Race this morning in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

This there were over 15,000 entries in the race including Miss Wittstock and her friends, Olympic swimming medalists Riaan Schoeman and Franzisca van Almsick.  The purpose of the entering the Midmar race, for Miss Wittstock, is to raise money for the Special Olympics as well as to have fun with her friends.  This is also the first time Miss Wittstock has participated in the Midmar open water race, and hopefully after she is married it won’t be her last.  She did it for a great cause, and that’s pretty cool in my book.

Any way, Miss Wittstock look happy and fit (though a random few scream otherwise.  In my opinion, she look fine.  Basically she doesn’t look like a fat chick trying to stuff herself into a too small bathing suit.)

Video of the race and Charlene talking, swimming and other stuff: Video

To view many photos from the Midmar Race please click the link: Zimbio.com

Well, it certainly has been quite a busy day for the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock.  Earlier in the day, she hosted a charity event at the St. John’s Diocesan School whereupon she opened the school’s new swimming pool as well as raised money for the Special Olympics South African chapter.

This evening, February 11, 2011, Miss Wittstock attended an exhibit by Kerry Muldoun entitled, Nelson Mandela Intimate Moments Exhibition, at the Liberty Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

With her hair slicked back in a tight bun, Miss Wittstock wore a black jumpsuit with a gold-embroidered belt, and black flats.

To view more photos of the event please click the link:  Zimbio.com

On February 11, 2011, the future Princess of Monaco hosted a charity breakfast this morning at the St. John’s Diocesan School in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Funds raised during this event were donated to the Special Olympics in South Africa (Charlene is the patron for the Special Olympics, Monaco chapter.)  During the breakfast guests listened to speeches and Miss Wittstock officially opened the St. Diocesan School swimming pool (she basically cut a ribbon.)  She also unveiled a plaque with her name on it.

All in all, it was for a good cause… raising $2,300 for the Special Olympics.

Tomorrow, Miss Wittstock will participate in the Midmar Mile race and by all accounts she seems to be ready.  Click to watch a video of her speaking about the upcoming swim race: Interview) with Charlene Wittstock

To view more photos from today’s charity breakfast please click the link: Zimbio.com

On February 4, 2011, Charlene Wittstock’s father, Mike, was attacked, beaten, and robbed in front of his home in Rynfield, South Africa.

According to the South African online newspaper, Look Local.za:

The car, a Mercedes Benz C180, belonged to one of Wittstock’s clients, who loaned it to him to go down to Durban to see his daughter.

Wittstock parked the car in his driveway after 10pm and two men approached him coming from his yard and hit him with an AK47 on his face.

According to WO Jannie van Aswegen, communication officer for Benoni SAPS, this was a planned hijacking as the two men waited for Wittstock inside his yard.  After attacking him the two men forced Wittstock to lie down on the ground.

They took his personal items including his watch, a gold chain, his ring, bank cards and cell phones.  Wittstock sustained a broken nose and facial injuries.

The men are still at large with the car.

I sincerely hope Mr. Wittstock is doing okay today; moreover, I hope they finally found those who did such a horrible and otherwise jackass thing to an elderly man.

Source: Look Local.co.za