How Princess Charlene of Monaco's style has evolved, from her days as an Olympic athlete to a European princess

Princess Charlene at the 20th Anniversary Gala Of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Princess Charlene of Monaco hasn't always been as fashionable as she is now. Before marrying Prince Albert, Charlene was an Olympic swimmer representing South Africa. Finding her "fashion feet" was a challenge, Charlene said — but now she's embraced daring looks. When Princess Charlene married Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011, her life changed. Once best known as an Olympic swimmer representing South Africa, she was reintroduced to the world as a princess. The official Monaco royal website says she was born Charlene Lynette Wittstock on January 25, 1978, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. At age 12, she moved to South Africa with her parents and her younger brothers. There, she began forging a career as a swimmer, taking home several awards at the 1997 South African championship, including the coveted title of best female swimmer. Charlene went on to represent South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As fate would have it, her future husband, Albert, was there as a spectator — though the pair wouldn't officially cross paths until she visited Monaco for a swimming competition later that year. They eventually married and later had twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. However, marrying into a royal family came with certain lifestyle adjustments, including Charlene's sense of style. From her days as an Olympic athlete to being one of the most recognized princesses around the world, here's a closer look at how Charlene's fashion has evolved. In 2001, Charlene was still very much in her athletic era. Princess Charlene pictured in South Africa on June 28, 2001. Terry Shean/Sunday Times/Gallo Images via Getty Images She was photographed in South Africa wearing a laid-back look that consisted of gray sweatpants, a navy-blue windbreaker, and Nike sneakers. Later that year, she maintained her sporty style on the front cover of South African Sports Illustrated. Princess Charlene poses for a portrait shoot for South African Sports Illustrated in November 2001 in South Africa. Jacques Weyers/SA Sports Illustrated/Touchline/ Getty Images For the photo shoot, Charlene wore a sporty red tank top, white flared jeans, and a sailor hat. In keeping with the easygoing, nautical aesthetic of the shoot, she opted to go barefoot. Charlene and Albert made their first public appearance as a couple at a 2006 F1 Monaco Grand Prix party. Charlene with Albert at the Automobile Club party following the F1 Grand Prix in Monaco on May 28, 2006. BENAINOUS/CATARINA/LEGRAND/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images For the big night, she wore a black floor-length gown that was elegant and a world away from Charlene's previous ensembles. It featured a sweetheart neckline and a long skirt with a lace-lined slit that reached her knees. She paired the gown with silver drop earrings and a matching clutch. Charlene brushed shoulders with fashion heavyweights like Karl Lagerfeld at the 2007 Monaco Red Cross ball — but she went on to regret her look. Charlene Wittstock at the Monaco Red Cross Ball on August 4, 2006. For her first appearance at Monaco's annual Red Cross Ball, Charlene wore a sparkly, semi-sheer, backless ball gown that she borrowed from a friend, she told Tatler in 2010. Reflecting on the look, Charlene wasn't exactly fond of her choice. "I looked like a Christmas tree," she said. "I was used to living in a swimsuit and totally clueless about fashion. The day of the ball, I had been playing volleyball all day on the beach and didn't think about getting ready until late in the afternoon," Charlene added. In a separate interview with Vogue before her 2011 wedding, Charlene remembered the outfit as one of her least favorites. "Finding my fashion feet has certainly been the biggest challenge," she said. "I realize that my debut into Monaco society should have been better executed!" Charlene ditched sparkly gowns for cargo shorts and a light-blue polo later that year. Charlene Wittstock coaching children at a training session on December 2, 2006, in Richards Bay, South Africa. Barry Tuck/ She wore the casual ensemble during a visit to Richards Bay, South Africa, to teach swimming lessons to children. Charlene opted for a more daring look at the 2007 closing ceremony of the Small European States Games. Prince Albert and Charlene in Monaco on June 9, 2007. LEGRAND/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Image For the event, she wore a black, strapless bustier top over asymmetric suit pants that featured a slit on the left leg. She accessorized with a sheer black scarf and a black clutch. She tapped into the rock-and-roll theme of the 2009 Rose Ball with a bold hairdo and a black bejeweled gown. Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco on March 28, 2009. Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Charlene's sleeveless dress featured a daring neckline and colorful jewels. A matching biker glove and a small black clutch completed the ensemble. Albert and Charlene announced their engagement in June 2010. Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock's official engagement portrait In Monte Carlo, Monaco on June 23, 2010. Interagences/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images For the official photographs that accompanied the big news, Charlene wore a colorful, floor-length dress. The flowy blue-and-green gown was designed by Akris. It was backless and featured an elegant halter neck. The official portraits also showed her sparkling engagement ring, which featured a three-carat, pear-cut diamond surrounded by smaller round jewels. For the couple's civil marriage ceremony, Charlene collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld on her powder-blue ensemble, which perfectly complemented her eyes. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II after their civil marriage ceremony on July 1, 2011, in Monaco. The ensemble, made of a blazer and palazzo pants, was both regal and reflective of Charlene's sporty aesthetic. "It's feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style," Charlene told Vogue. "I thought it was a nice change to go for trousers instead of a skirt, especially since I'm an athlete and have always kept my clothes clean and simple." Later, for the grand religious ceremony, she dazzled in a custom-made Giorgio Armani gown that took 2,500 hours to make. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert smile as they leave the palace after their religious wedding ceremony on July 2, 2011, in Monaco. The designer told Vogue that the off-the-shoulder gown — which was made of Duchesse silk and silk organza — was covered in 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 30,000 gold stones, and 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops. The look was completed with an intricate silk-tulle veil that took around 100 hours to embroider. In 2012, the newlyweds made a dapper debut as a married couple on the Oscars red carpet. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. For the occasion, Charlene wore a sleeveless, ivory Akris gown that was partially sheer at the top and featured a cutout at the back. Channeling the regal image of her late mother-in-law, Grace Kelly, Charlene arrived at the 2013 Princess Grace Awards in a striking Ralph Lauren gown. Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the 2013 Princess Grace Awards Gala on October 30, 2013, in New York City. for Princess Grace Foundation The sleeveless Ralph Lauren gown featured a ruffled halter neck and a small train. She paired it with a simple gold bracelet. While distributing Christmas gifts to children in Monaco in 2015, Charlene stood out in a beige cape jacket. Princess Charlene attends the annual Christmas gifts distribution on December 16, 2015, in Monaco. The princess paired the unique jacket with a black turtleneck, black leggings, and leather knee-length boots. Charlene arrived at the 2017 Red Cross Ball in a silver, sleeveless jumpsuit designed by Versace. Princess Charlene at the 69th Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala at Sporting Monte Carlo on July 28, 2017, in Monaco. Stephane Cardinale - Charlene's shimmery, strapless pantsuit — which was designed by Versace — featured semi-sheer, palazzo-style pants. She wore it with silver sandals, a metallic clutch, and diamond earrings. She later attended Versace's Spring 2018 show in an asymmetric, chainmail minidress with several daring cutouts. Princess Charlene attends the Versace show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 22, 2017 in Milan, Italy. Venturelli/WireImage Charlene wore the bold dress with a black leather biker jacket and silver stilettos. For the 2018 Princess Grace Awards Gala, Charlene ditched gowns and instead wore a black suit with suspenders. Princess Charlene attends the Princess Grace Awards Gala on October 16, 2018, in New York City. for Princess Grace Foundation-USA She kept the top buttons of her white shirt open and wore her suit jacket casually over her shoulders. She showed off a brand-new, half-shaved haircut at the 2020 Monaco Christmas gift distribution. Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Christmas gift distribution on December 16, 2020, in Monaco. SC Pool - Charlene's hairstyle drew mixed reactions after the annual Christmas event in Monaco. Nevertheless, she told the French magazine Point de Vue that she didn't care for anyone else's opinion. "This haircut was my decision," she said. "It seems that it has provoked all kinds of comments. But it turns out that I wanted it for a long time. The style pleases me. That's all." In 2022, she returned to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix racetrack wearing a powder-blue jumpsuit. Princess Charlene, Princess Gabriella, and Prince Jacques during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 29, 2022. Arnold Jerocki/FilmMagic The unique jumpsuit was designed by Terrence Bray. It featured a wide neckline, puffed bell sleeves, and pants so long they covered her feet. She later put another unique spin on regal attire at a ceremony honoring Monaco National Day. Princess Charlene of Monaco, Princess Stephanie, and Prince Jacques attend the Monaco National Day on November 19, 2022. David Niviere/ Charlene's eye-catching white coat was designed by one of her go-to brands, Akris. The princess paired it with a black turtleneck, leather gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat made by British hatmaker Stephen Jones. For the Monaco National Day gala in 2023, Charlene went for a dazzling ruby-red ensemble. Charlene of Monaco attends a Gala at the Grimaldi Forum during the Monaco National Day 2023 on November 19, 2023. Stephane Cardinale/ The festive dress was designed by DidierAngelo. Charlene coordinated the gown with her lipstick, jewelry, heels, and nail color, all in similar shades of scarlet red. Red remained her color in 2024. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix gala dinner. She attended a gala dinner at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix wearing a custom Louis Vuitton dress. The vibrant red piece had a straight floor-length skirt, off-the-shoulder long sleeves, and a silver, sequined collar that extended from her shoulders to the gown's neckline. She wore the outfit with a thick diamond bracelet and matching earrings. She stunned in lace at the 2025 Rose Ball. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II at the 2025 Rose Ball. Her Dolce & Gabbana gown was truly unique with two distinct layers. It featured a strapless velvet gown beneath a layer of green lace. The latter had a single puffed sleeve and a velvet belt that matched her dress. Charlene completed the look with black pumps and emerald earrings. Charlene looked chic at a religious ceremony in January. Princess Charlene at the 2026 Ceremony Of The Sainte-Devot in Monaco. She attended the 2026 Ceremony of the Sainte-Devote in a navy-blue look that comprised a thick winter coat, a matching scarf, leather gloves, pumps, and a headband. She also carried a small purse and wore a gold brooch on the bodice of her jacket. She returned to sparkling eveningwear in September when she attended the 20th Anniversary Gala for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Princess Charlene at the 20th Anniversary Gala Of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Charlene was photographed arriving at the event in a black Jenny Packham gown, one of Kate Middleton's favorite designers. The elegant design featured a floor-length skirt, a strapless neckline, and a beaded mesh overlay that covered her shoulders and added short sleeves to the look. Read the original article on Business Insider

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