In pictures. Twenty years on: how Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene went public at the Olympics
On 10 February 2006, the princely couple made their first public appearance together at the Winter Olympics in Turin © Prince's Palace of Monaco
As the 2026 Winter Olympics open this Friday, 6 February, in Milan, we look back on a historic moment: on 10 February 2006, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene publicly revealed their relationship for the first time in the stands at the opening ceremony of the Turin Games.
On 10 February 2006, in front of 35,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers around the world, Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock made their relationship official during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin. Huddled together, hand in hand to brave the Piedmontese cold, the Sovereign and the South African swimming champion captured everyone’s attention.
A meeting at the poolside
Their story began six years earlier, in 2000, at the Mare Nostrum swimming meet in Monaco. Charlène Wittstock, then aged 22, won two gold medals in the 200-metre backstroke. Prince Albert II presented her with her medals, marking their first meeting.
The young South African swimmer could never have imagined that this simple ceremonial gesture would change the course of her life. Their romance truly began in 2005, after Princess Charlene sent a message of condolence to Prince Albert II following the death of Prince Rainier III in April. Prince Albert II then invited her to dinner, and their relationship developed away from the cameras.
Until February 2006, their relationship remained the subject of rumours. It was in the Olympic stands in Turin that everything changed. On 10 February, during the opening ceremony, cameras from around the world captured the couple’s knowing glances and tender gestures. The relationship was made official immediately.
This public appearance marked the beginning of Princess Charlene’s gradual integration into life in Monaco. She attended a series of social events: the Rose Ball, the Red Cross Ball and the Monaco Grand Prix. A Protestant by birth, she converted to Catholicism as required by the Monegasque constitution, while also learning French.
In June 2010, their joint attendance at the wedding of Princess Victoria of Sweden was seen as a prelude to their own marriage.
A princely wedding in 2011
On 23 June 2010, the Prince’s Palace announced the couple’s engagement. The long-awaited wedding took place on 1 and 2 July 2011, amid an atmosphere of popular jubilation.
The civil ceremony took place on Friday in the Throne Room, followed the next day by the religious ceremony in the courtyard of the Prince’s Palace, celebrated by Monsignor Bernard Barsi.
Nearly 800 guests, including many crowned heads and international personalities, attended the religious ceremony. Princess Charlene, wearing a white duchess satin gown by Giorgio Armani, made her entrance on the arm of her father. After the ceremony, the Princely Couple went to the Sainte-Dévote Chapel where the bride placed her bouquet according to Monegasque tradition, a moment of intense emotion that left a lasting impression.
On 10 December 2014, Monaco experienced a historic day with the birth of the Princely Twins at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre. Princess Gabriella was born at 5:04 p.m., followed two minutes later by her brother, Hereditary Prince Jacques, at 5:06 p.m. In accordance with the Monegasque Constitution, which stipulates male primogeniture, he became heir to the throne despite being born after his sister.
Twenty years after making their relationship official in the stands in Turin, the Princely Couple continues to inspire. In July 2025, during the 76th Monaco Red Cross Gala, Princess Charlene made a statement: “Monseigneur, Albert, you know that I will always be by your side, along with all the Monegasques. We love you, we support you and we thank you for being there for all of us.”
Two decades later, back in Italy
On Monday 2 February, Prince Albert II attended the opening of the 145th session of the International Olympic Committee at La Scala in Milan, a few days before the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. A member of the IOC since 1985, Prince Albert II was reunited with Princess Anne, also a former Olympian and member of the IOC.
Twenty years after Turin, Italy is once again hosting the Winter Olympic Games. This was something that could not escape Prince Albert II, whose commitment to Olympic and environmental values is unwavering. Although Princess Charlene did not accompany the Sovereign to Milan, she was by his side a few days earlier during the celebrations of Sainte-Dévote at Port Hercule.
The Prince and Princess, who have been married for nearly 14 years and are parents to two 11-year-old children, continue to embody the shared passion for sport that brought them together more than 25 years ago by a swimming pool in Monaco.