On November 11, 2011, H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco visited the Monte-Carlo nursery and the Saint-Charles school. In accordance to her wishes, and so as not to disrupt lessons, these visits took place informally in direct contact with the children and teachers.

Upon her arrival at the Monte-Carlo nursery, the Princess, accompanied by the Prince, asked the nursery nurses about the proposed daily activities for the thirty-six children under three who attend the nursery. The Director, Mrs Baron, briefly talked about how the establishment is run. This nursery is managed by the Monaco Town Hall, represented this morning by Mrs Vaccarezza, Head of the Municipal Social Services Department.

The princess then visited the Saint-Charles school. The children, clearly delighted by this visit, welcomed the princess in the great hall with their Director Mrs Dupont and Mrs Bonnal, Director of National Education for Youth and Sports.  Princess Charlene witnessed the implementation of educational workshops in an infants’ class, then She wanted to spend some time with the eight children who benefit from specialist A.I.S. (School Adaptation and Integration) supervision within this establishment.

Princess Charlene commented on the quality of the teaching and the school facilities of these establishments and paid tribute to the professionalism of the teaching staff in Monaco who do so much to help new generations to secure the Principality’s future.

It was announced on October 28, 2011, that H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco would participate in the Ein Herz für Kinder (A Heart for Children) television fundraising gala to be broadcast live on ZDF from Berlin, Germany on December 17, 2011.

Per a press release regarding the event:

Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco kindly accepted the invitation and agreed to travel to Berlin. It will be her first visit to the German capital since her wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco last July.

Even before her wedding, Princess Charlene was committed to helping the disadvantaged through sports and education. As a young athlete, she trained scores of disadvantaged children and helped inspire and comfort them. The former Olympic swimmer from South Africa often volunteered her time and status to raise significant funds in support of several construction and training projects. Princess Charlene is ambassador and member of the International Board of Directors of the Special Olympics, the largest international sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She now is establishing her own Foundation called “Princess Charlene Foundation” to assist children and women in need around the world. Together with her husband, Princess Charlene also supports a wide variety of charitable organizations.

Prominent international guests of the “Ein Herz für Kinder” TV gala in the past years included Jane Fonda, Prince Harry, George Clooney and Salma Hayek. Thomas Gottschalk, Germany’s most famous TV personality, will host the event for the eleventh time.