As summer attracts thousands of families to the French Riviera’s beaches and swimming pools, water safety remains more important than ever. Last summer alone, France recorded 1,418 drowning incidents between 1 June and 30 September, 409 of them fatal – a 16% increase in deaths compared with the same period in 2024, according to Santé Publique France.
Helping to change those statistics is the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Founded by H.S.H. Princess Charlene in 2012, the charity works around the world through three core programmes: Learn to Swim, Water Safety and Sport & Education.
Why did Princess Charlene start her Foundation?
Swimming has always been a passion for Princess Charlene (née Wittstock), who was a professional swimmer before becoming a princess. In 2000 she represented South Africa at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
On top of that she also has a deeply personal reason for wishing to advocate for water safety.
As a child, she lost her five-year-old cousin when he drowned in a river near her uncle’s house. She revealed that it was “devastating” for her entire family and that “that kind of pain (never) really goes away”.
“Growing up in South Africa, I witnessed numerous times the devastating reality of drowning – as many children are not always prepared to face water hazards.”
Inspired by her own experiences and the life-changing impact of sport, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is dedicated to creating a safer future for children around the world. The princess hopes that one day swimming will become “a fundamental right, just like learning to read”.
What does the Foundation actually do?
The Foundation’s mission focuses on preventing drowning and promoting children’s education through the positive values of sport.
Its Learn to Swim and Water Safety programmes equip both children and adults with the knowledge and practical skills needed to prevent drowning, while the Sport & Education programme encourages young people to embrace sport as a pathway to confidence, inclusion and well-being. Princess Charlene adds:
“I created my foundation to offer children better opportunities, show them the way through the values of sport and solidarity, and reduce deaths by drowning worldwide.”
What has the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation achieved so far?
Working alongside local organisations, technical partners and international institutions, the Foundation’s programmes have benefited more than 2 million (2,247,240) people across 45 countries over the past 14 years, initiating 698 projects to help build safer communities and brighter futures for children worldwide.
Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation Success in Numbers:
According to the 2025 figures provided by the Foundation, this is what it has achieved since it was founded in 2012:
- 633 443 children have learnt to swim
- 6 753 lifeguards have been trained
- 1 251 lifeguard instructors have been trained
- 1 268 447 children have received water safety lessons
- 3 180 rescuers have been trained
- 69 783 water safety instructors have been trained
- 1 821 people have received first-aid training
- 70 508 children have been educated on the value of sport
Is the Foundation mainly focused on Monaco?
The foundation’s head office is in Monaco, with an office in the USA, but it is focused on the whole world. So far its projects have been undertaken in 45 countries.
Drowning remains a major global public health issue, claiming an estimated 2.5 million lives over the past decade, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Through water safety initiatives and sporting programmes, the Foundation works to save lives while encouraging confidence, respect, teamwork and inclusion, demonstrating the power of sport to transform individuals and strengthen communities.
Drowning Stats according to the WHO
- Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide
- Around 300 000 lives are lost by drowning each year
- Children aged under 5 years account for nearly a quarter of all drowning deaths
- Drowning is the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 1–4 years, and the third leading cause of death for children aged 5–14 years
- 92 percent of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries
How is Princess Charlene involved in the Foundation?
The Princess is very actively involved and is often present either as a guest speaker, or in the water itself, to help teach and empower children and adults to be safer in the water.
What are the Programmes?
Learn to Swim Programme
Through its Learn to Swim programme, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation helps children and adults in vulnerable communities gain essential swimming skills that can save lives.
This programme includes:
- Swimming lessons
- Training of lifeguards & swimming instructors
- Training of lifeguard trainers
The Princess says:
“Too many children die from drowning every year because they do not know how to swim, even though just a few lessons could save their lives and make them feel more confident in the water.”
Focusing on areas where the risk of drowning is greatest, particularly near waterways and in flood-prone regions, the programme provides access to swimming education for those who need it most. By teaching this vital life skill, the Foundation is helping to prevent drowning and create safer communities around the world.
Water Safety Programme
Through its Water Safety programme, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation raises awareness of drowning prevention while teaching children and adults essential lifesaving skills in a variety of aquatic environments.
This programme includes:
- Academic courses
- Lifesaving courses
- Training of rescuers
- Training of water safety instructors
Working with local associations and national rescue organisations, the Foundation delivers practical and educational programmes based on three key principles of prevention: identify, alert and intervene. These life-saving skills help build confidence around water and prepare communities to respond in an emergency.
Sport and Education Programme
Through its Sport & Education programme, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation promotes children’s well-being and personal development by making sport accessible to young people from all backgrounds.
This programme includes:
- Pedagogic sports activities
- Sports grants
- Funding of sports equipment
Working with schools and educational organisations in Monaco and around the world, the Foundation supports a wide range of sporting activities and provides educational and sports equipment. Each year, it also organises events in the Principality that bring young people together to celebrate the values of sport, including teamwork, respect, perseverance and inclusion, principles that lie at the heart of the Foundation’s mission.
What upcoming events does the Foundation have planned?
The Princess of Monaco Cup golf tournament will take place in September 2027, and the next Riviera Water Bike Challenge in 2028.
How can I get involved or help the Foundation?
For more information about the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, and to support the work of this incredible charity, please visit the official website here. You can also make a donation here.
