Photo credits: Éric Mathon / Palais princier
With drowning incidents on the rise during the summer months, Princess Charlene of Monaco has issued a public appeal for greater vigilance and prevention efforts, underscoring the need to treat drowning as a public health emergency.
“Drowning is silent and can occur in just moments, even in familiar environments,” Princess Charlene said. “My objective is simple: that every child associates water with confidence and joy, rather than with fear.”
For more than a decade, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has worked to prevent such tragedies through its Learn to Swim and Water Safety programs, which have been implemented in more than 45 countries. The foundation’s mission is clear: to equip children with life-saving skills and to reduce the risks that lead to preventable loss of life.
In Monaco, swimming education begins at the preschool level, ensuring that children develop water safety awareness from an early age. This approach reflects a broader commitment to protect the most vulnerable and to remind families that drowning, though often sudden and invisible, can be prevented.
The Princess’s campaign reinforces an ongoing call for public awareness: the tragedies of drowning are not inevitable. With education, vigilance, and structured prevention measures, lives can be saved.