# From Olympic swimmer to European princess > Princess Charlene of Monaco's wardrobe transformed from athletic wear to haute couture after marrying Prince Albert in 2011. - Title: From Olympic swimmer to European princess · Business Insider - Summary: Princess Charlene of Monaco's wardrobe transformed from athletic wear to haute couture after marrying Prince Albert in 2011. Princess Charlene's style… - Keywords: princess charlene, monaco, prince albert, fashion evolution, royal style, olympic swimmer, business, technology, Olympic, swimmer, European, princess - Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/princess-charlene-of-monaco-style-evolution-photos - Author: Maria Noyen - Published: 2026-10-16T17:12:06.395+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: princess charlene, monaco, prince albert, fashion evolution, royal style, olympic swimmer, business, technology ## From swimmer to princess Princess Charlene married Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011, transforming her life from Olympic athlete to European royalty. She was born Charlene Lynette Wittstock on January twenty-fifth, nineteen seventy-eight, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. ## Swimming champion in South Africa At age twelve, Charlene moved to South Africa with her parents and younger brothers. She became a competitive swimmer, winning several awards at the nineteen ninety-seven South African championship, including best female swimmer. ## Olympic athlete meets future husband Charlene represented South Africa at the two thousand Sydney Olympics. Prince Albert attended as a spectator, though they did not officially meet until she visited Monaco for a swimming competition later that year. ## Athletic style in two thousand one In June two thousand one, Charlene was photographed in South Africa wearing gray sweatpants, a navy-blue windbreaker, and Nike sneakers. ## First public appearance as a couple Charlene and Prince Albert made their first public appearance together at a two thousand six F one Monaco Grand Prix party on May twenty-eighth. ## The Christmas tree moment At the two thousand six Monaco Red Cross Ball on August fourth, Charlene wore a sparkly, semi-sheer, backless ball gown she borrowed from a friend. > I looked like a Christmas tree ## Finding her fashion feet Before her two thousand eleven wedding, Charlene told Vogue that finding her fashion feet had been her biggest challenge. > Finding my fashion feet has certainly been the biggest challenge ## Back to casual in two thousand six In December two thousand six, Charlene visited Richards Bay, South Africa, to teach swimming lessons to children. She wore cargo shorts and a light-blue polo shirt, returning to her athletic aesthetic away from formal events. ## Daring look at Small European States Games At the two thousand seven closing ceremony of the Small European States Games on June ninth, Charlene wore a black strapless bustier top over asymmetric suit pants with a left leg slit. ## Rock and roll at the Rose Ball At the two thousand nine Rose Ball on March twenty-eighth, Charlene tapped into the rock-and-roll theme with a bold hairdo and black bejeweled sleeveless gown. ## Engagement announcement in two thousand ten Prince Albert and Charlene announced their engagement in June two thousand ten. For official photographs on June twenty-third, she wore a colorful floor-length blue-and-green gown designed by Akris with a backless halter neck and three-carat… ## Civil ceremony with Karl Lagerfeld For the civil marriage ceremony on July first, two thousand eleven, Charlene collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld on a powder-blue ensemble of blazer and palazzo pants. > It's feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style ## Religious ceremony in Giorgio Armani For the grand religious ceremony on July second, two thousand eleven, Charlene wore a custom-made Giorgio Armani gown that took twenty-five hundred hours to make. ## Oscars debut as princess In two thousand twelve, Charlene and Prince Albert made their debut as a married couple on the Oscars red carpet on February twenty-sixth. ## Channeling Grace Kelly At the two thousand thirteen Princess Grace Awards on October thirtieth in New York City, Charlene arrived in a striking Ralph Lauren gown with a ruffled halter neck and small train. ## Bold half-shaved haircut in two thousand twenty At the two thousand twenty Monaco Christmas gift distribution on December sixteenth, Charlene showed off a brand-new half-shaved haircut that drew mixed reactions. > This haircut was my decision ## Powder-blue jumpsuit at F one in two thousand twenty-two In two thousand twenty-two, Charlene returned to the F one Monaco Grand Prix racetrack on May twenty-ninth wearing a powder-blue jumpsuit designed by Terrence Bray. ## Ruby red for Monaco National Day two thousand twenty-three For the Monaco National Day gala on November nineteenth, two thousand twenty-three, Charlene wore a dazzling ruby-red ensemble designed by DidierAngelo. ## Latest look at Prince Albert II Foundation gala Charlene attended the twentieth Anniversary Gala for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in a black Jenny Packham gown with floor-length skirt, strapless neckline, and beaded mesh overlay. ## Key takeaway Princess Charlene's style evolved from sporty athletic wear to formal royal fashion after marrying Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011.