From Olympic Athlete to European Princess: How Charlene’s Monaco Style Evolved Through the Days

A swimmer’s sporting wardrobe

Born Charlene Lynette Wittstock in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she moved to South Africa with her parents and younger brothers at age 12. She built a swimming career there and won several awards at the 1997 South African championship, including best female swimmer.

Before her royal life, Charlene was photographed in gray sweatpants, a navy windbreaker and Nike sneakers. She also appeared on the cover of South African Sports Illustrated in a red tank top, white flared jeans and a sailor hat, going barefoot for the shoot.

Sporty and daring choices

Later in 2007, Charlene wore cargo shorts and a light-blue polo while visiting Richards Bay, South Africa, to teach children swimming lessons. At that year’s closing ceremony of the Small European States Games, she chose a strapless black bustier top with asymmetric suit pants, a sheer scarf and a black clutch.

For the 2009 Rose Ball’s rock-and-roll theme, she wore a black bejeweled gown with a bold neckline, colorful jewels and a matching biker glove. Her hairstyle also embraced the theme.

A royal wedding wardrobe

For official photographs announcing her engagement, Charlene wore a colorful, floor-length dress. The portraits showed her three-carat, pear-cut engagement ring, surrounded by smaller round jewels. For the couple’s civil ceremony, she worked with Karl Lagerfeld on a powder-blue blazer and palazzo pants that combined a regal look with her sporty aesthetic. At the religious ceremony, she wore a custom Giorgio Armani gown that took 2,500 hours to make.