Princess Charlene steals the show at Monaco Grand Prix
Princess Charlene of Monaco, the former South African Olympic swimmer, once again stole the show at the Monaco Grand Prix.
On Friday, Charlene met children supported by the Monaco Liver Disorder association. She wore a striking 'Drareen' shirt dress by Sara Roka.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert hosted a grand reception at the Prince's Palace to mark the opening of the 82nd Monaco Grand Prix.
For this, the princess chose a waist-cinching black Giorgio Armani ensemble, glittering with crystals.
The dress hugged her figure, showing off her athletic build, with her signature blonde hair falling in soft waves, and her makeup gave her a radiant glow.
Charlene's fashion streak didn't stop there. Last week, she attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, according to Hello Magazine.
As one of the few royal women allowed to wear white before the Pope, she chose a breathtaking Ellie Saab midi dress.
The dress featured delicate stripes and abstract patterns. She finished the look with a white Akris clutch, white heels, and a sheer mantilla.
Princess Charlene's recent outfits have captivated royal watchers and fashion fans alike.
Her choices blend Monaco's glamour with a subtle nod to her South African roots. She proves that style knows no borders.
Princess Charlene's connection to South Africa runs deep and remains a central part of her identity.
Born Charlene Wittstock in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she moved to South Africa with her family at the age of 12. This is where her passion for swimming flourished.
She went on to represent South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and won multiple medals at international competitions.
She even went on to become a national champion and a celebrated athlete. Despite her royal status in Monaco, Charlene has always spoken fondly of her South African roots.
'South Africa has – and always will be – in my heart. Every time I visit this beautiful country, I am filled with immense joy and pride'.
She regularly returns for charitable work, especially through her foundation's water safety initiatives. She has often described herself simply and proudly: 'I am African and this is my heritage
As the Grand Prix excitement continues, all eyes remain on Monaco's princess.
Princess Charlene continues to captivate the world with her grace, style, and unwavering connection to her South African roots.
Whether dazzling on the Monaco Grand Prix stage or championing causes close to her heart. She embodies the spirit of a modern royal who honours her heritage while embracing her global role.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Celebrity boxing match set to ignite the ring in July
The glitz and glam of South African entertainment will collide with the grit and intensity of boxing when the Lehlohonolo Ledwaba Memorial Celebrity Boxing Event takes centre stage on July 26 at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park. TLB Boxing Promotions hosted the official press conference for the much-anticipated event on Tuesday at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. The event is not just about punches and showmanship; it's a tribute to the late boxing legend Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, whose impact on the sport continues to inspire athletes and fans alike. In attendance at the media briefing were some of the biggest names from entertainment and sports, including legendary boxer Cassius Baloyi, Siphiwe 'Picat' Sibeko from iconic kwaito group Alaska and celebrity boxing contenders NaakMusiQ, Phumlani Njilo and Chad Da Don. Notably absent was actor Abdul Khoza, who could not attend due to other commitments.
Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Love in a time of Wi-Fi: How couples cultivate connection online
For most, WhatsApp was the go-to. It was the easiest, most intimate platform — rich with voice notes, real-time messaging, and video calls. But the communication wasn't just about logistics or surface-level check-ins. We've all heard the horror stories: WhatsApp blow-ups, Instagram posts that notch up the jealousy factor, and an emoji that accidentally ruined a perfectly good weekend. Social media doesn't always have the best rep when it comes to relationships. But maybe that's not the full story. That's what Lauren Maytham, a newly qualified clinical psychologist, set out to explore in her Master's thesis at Nelson Mandela University. Maytham's research, completed at the end of last year under the supervision of cyber-relationships expert Dr Tania Lambert, focused on how South African young adults use social media to maintain intimacy and passion in committed romantic relationships. 'I wanted to find out how young people were staying emotionally close in an era in which we're often physically apart,' said Maytham. 'And I wanted to focus on relationships that already existed — not dating apps or how people meet, but how they stay connected.' The real work of staying close The study interviewed eight young adults — aged 22 to 29 — who were in stable, exclusive relationships. They weren't living together, weren't married, and spent regular time apart. These were the kind of relationships where future plans were being made, but daily routines were still separate. The question Maytham posed was simple: How do you keep romance alive on social media? For most, WhatsApp was the go-to. It was the easiest, most intimate platform — thanks to the voice notes, real-time messaging, and video calls. But the communication wasn't just about surface-level check-ins. 'Participants talked about small gestures that made them feel emotionally close,' Maytham said. 'Even something like a partner asking 'How's your day going?' helped them feel seen and secure.' In several cases, couples created entire digital rituals to bridge the gap. Virtual date nights. Shared streaming. Midweek memes sent just to make each other laugh. 'One participant described how watching a movie together over the phone, with pauses to laugh or comment, created a shared moment that felt especially meaningful,' said Maytham. Intimacy, passion — and a love app called LoveWick While many past studies have focused on the risks of oversharing or online infidelity, Maytham's participants revealed a quiet creativity to their digital intimacy. One of the discoveries that interested her most involved an app called LoveWick — designed to help couples log important dates, preferences, even favourite snacks or clothing sizes. 'The app has a feature called Forget Me Not,' Maytham said. 'One participant used it to remember what flowers his girlfriend liked and would order them when she wasn't feeling well. It was one of the most emotionally thoughtful uses of tech I came across.' Passion, too, wasn't absent — it was just reimagined. Some participants were open about sending flirtatious photos, texts, or wearing a partner's favourite outfit in shared content. Others preferred more private exchanges. Boundaries mattered, and couples navigated them with care. And then there was TikTok. One participant described how she and her partner shared cheeky TikToks and relationship memes as inside jokes. Another said the TikTok algorithm kept serving up videos that mirrored their relationship quirks — and bonding over those little moments became a daily ritual. 'There was a wide range of what people felt comfortable with,' said Maytham. 'But the key was mutual understanding — and respecting that one partner might be more private than the other.' What the men had to say One of the more surprising themes to emerge said Maytham was how frequently male participants brought up love languages — often unprompted. 'I didn't expect that,' said Maytham. 'They not only recognised their partners' emotional needs, but actively used digital tools to meet them. Whether it was sending encouraging messages or sharing content that spoke to their partner's personality, they were intentional.' While popular discourse often paints men as emotionally distant in digital spaces, Maytham's findings pushed back against the stereotype. 'They may not have been as verbally expressive as the women, but the care and thought were there.' Culture, boundaries and public declarations The study also touched on cultural and personal beliefs that shaped how participants engaged with social media. Two women, both of Indian descent, raised concerns about the evil eye — the belief that too much public sharing of love and happiness can attract jealousy or harm. 'They grew up being told to protect what's sacred,' Maytham explained. 'For them, keeping their romantic lives off the timeline wasn't a lack of affection — it was about preserving something private and safe.' This sentiment was echoed by others who simply preferred direct messages to public declarations. 'Some felt that real intimacy didn't need to be posted,' said Maytham. 'Others enjoyed sharing light-hearted moments but kept deeper emotional exchanges within private platforms like WhatsApp.' From TikTok to therapy rooms Maytham sees a future for this kind of research beyond academia. She believes it has practical relevance for couples therapy — especially when it comes to helping people navigate relationships in an age where escaping social media is virtually impossible. 'Social media can be repetitive, even shallow,' she said. 'But it can also be a powerful tool for emotional connection — if it's used with intention and awareness.' DM
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Full list: 10 signings linked with Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi flanked by the club's Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr (left) and the Football Manager Bobby Motaung (right). Image: Goal Kaizer Chiefs are linked with an exciting list of players. The most popular names include Monnapule Saleng, Oswin Appollis and Fiston Mayele. Here's a list of nine players who have been mentioned in the same sentence as Kaizer Chiefs over the past seven days. Kaizer Chiefs bosses to sign two Sundowns superstars? According to various local reports, Amakhosi are linked with a host of attacking talent. Of the nine players mentioned this past week, only one of them is a defender: Fawaaz Basadien. The rest of the pack includes wingers, midfielders and of course strikers. Full List: Monnapule Saleng, 27, winger, Orlando Pirates. Feisal Salum, 28, midfielder, Azam FC Asanele Velebayi, 22, winger, Cape Town Spurs Sipho Mbule, 27, midfielder, Mamelodi Sundowns Rivaldo Coetzee Jean Charles Ahoua Etiosa Igodaro Fiston Mayele Fawaaz Basadien Oswin Appollis, 23, winger, Polokwane City. Zimbabwean attacker to Orlando Pirates? Spotted: Kaizer Chiefs coach Nabi in Africa Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
