Princess Charlene of Monaco has urged people to stay alert around water as she marked World Drowning Prevention Day with an important safety message. The 48-year-old shared a statement through the Monaco royal family’s Instagram account over the weekend, highlighting the importance of preventing avoidable deaths in and around water.
This year’s World Drowning Prevention Day was centred on the theme “Unite to turn the tide”, with campaigners aiming to reduce drowning deaths by 35% by 2035. Figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that more than 300,000 people die from drowning every year – the equivalent of around 30 deaths every hour. Nearly one in four victims is a child under the age of five, while drowning is also among the top 10 leading causes of death for children aged between five and 14.
In her message, Princess Charlene said: “On this World Drowning Prevention Day, I would like to remind everyone that these tragedies are often preventable.”
She added: “learning to swim, knowing lifesaving techniques and remaining vigilant can save lives.”
The princess also highlighted the work of her charity, explaining: “Every summer, the Princess Charlene Foundation reinforces this commitment through an awareness campaign in Monaco and several coastal cities, promoting safe behaviours and reminding as many people as possible of the essential steps they can take to stay safe.”
She continued: “As periods of extreme heat lead more people to the water, prevention is more important than ever.
“Drowning gives no warning; a few seconds of attention can make all the difference.
“Together, let us make water safety a priority for everyone.”
Princess Charlene established the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in 2012. The organisation focuses on preventing drowning and teaching children water safety through sport.
The cause is deeply personal to the royal, who represented South Africa as an Olympic swimmer before marrying into Monaco’s royal family.
As a child, she lost her five-year-old cousin Richard, who drowned in a river near her uncle’s home. Princess Charlene has previously described the tragedy as “devastating”.
Years later, in 2018, the 19-month-old daughter of one of her close friends also drowned after wandering into a neighbour’s garden and falling into a swimming pool.
Water safety has remained one of the princess’s main charitable priorities ever since, with her foundation continuing to promote swimming lessons, lifesaving skills and public awareness campaigns around the world.