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

In today’s South African newspaper, Benoni City Times, there is an “exclusive” interview with Miss Charlene Wittstock.  The reporter had a chance to sit down with the future Princess of Monaco to talk about her charity event, the Midmar Mile, visiting her grandmother, and much more.

Besides swimming in the Midmar Mile and hosting her own charity event on Friday February 11, 2011, Miss Wittstock will also:

…go to the Nelson Mandela Photographic Exhibition, in Pietermaritzburg, on the Friday evening ahead of the race.  Wittstock hopes she will also have some time to catch up with her friends in Durban.  ‘I am really looking forward to a braai, seeing my friends and, if possible, even going to a Sharks’ match,’ she said.

Charlene talks about her up-coming wedding and Prince Albert. The wedding is due to take place in Monaco on July 1 and 2. ‘I am very happy about the wedding; Monaco is a beautiful country and I love everything about it,’ she said.

‘Some of the interests that the prince and I share are sports, environmental and humanitarian causes.’  With Monaco being her new home, she confessed that there is a lot that she misses about Benoni.  ‘I miss my relatives, the friendly people and the Bunny Park,’ she said.  Some of the foods she craves while in Europe are Ouma rusks, Mrs Balls chutney.  She also misses what has become the prince’s favourite, Zambuk ointment, for cold blisters and the lips.

Many young women view her wedding as a fairytale and to this Wittstock said: “‘f any woman can find someone who truly loves her and is lucky enough to marry him, then that is a fairytale to me.’

Wittstock will return to South Africa on July 11, as the Princess of Monaco, with her prince, for the International Olympic Committee meeting.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link:  Benoni City Times

Source and photos courtesy of: Look Local.co.za via Clyde Meela

Yesterday, I reported that Miss Charlene Wittstock will be attending a charity event at the St. Johns Diocesan in South Africa.  Well, unfortunately, there is not much new information; however, here is a little news regarding the event.

Miss Wittstock will be hosting the charity event come this Friday February 11, 2011.  As you know all the proceeds, during the breakfast charity event, will be donated to the Special Olympics (she is the patron for the Special Olympics Charity Foundation in Monaco.)  Guests will be entertained by the “…international award wining group, Kwa-Zulu Natal Youth Orchestra.” The event begins at 8:30 am, and if you happen to live in the area, you can buy tickets to the charity breakfast and be in the presence of the future Princess of Monaco.

For more information please click the link: MSN ZA

Finally, as you know by now, Miss Wittstock will participate in the Midmar Mile, at the Midmar Dam in Kwazulu Natal, this weekend.  Apparently, this open water race is a tough one, but I’m sure she can handle it.   Here is what she had to say about the event a couple of months ago:

Taking part in the Midmar Mile will allow me to raise funds for the Special Olympics in South Africa and to support those athletes who really need the financial assistance. Being a former South African, taking part in the mile presents me with the opportunity to give back something to the South African charities.

My background as a swimmer, and current position as a future royal [member of a princely family] definitely presents me with a huge platform to give something back. The Special Olympics athletes are really brave and swimmers with disabilities have always been well supported at the Midmar Mile. I simply cannot wait, and this is a huge undertaking for me and its going to be great to eventually give something back by way of swimming the Mile. (Interview)

Also, Charlene’s dear friend, Olympic gold medalist Roland Schoeman, will also participate in the race to support Miss Wittstock.  How nice.

Any way, good luck, Miss Wittstock!   🙂

Source: MSN ZA and Super Sport by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN/Gallo Images