Albert and Charlene's Relationship

[rarotonga]

Originally Posted by royal pauper

I am just wondering if "the special one" will ever show up since it is obvious that PA has only one criteria for a girlfriend/lover and that is the tight behind.

hahahaha! Good one, royal pauper!

I was browsing through the other royal household's websites and read through the bios of the crown princesses. CPs Mathilde, Maxima, Letizia and Mary have an impressive background. Sure, some things may be glossed but, on the whole, quite an educational and professional background. All four seemed to have a sense of "social occasion" even prior to their respective royal marriages, i.e., have a clue as to how to dress and present themselves when out and about.

[Jaya]

Originally Posted by MyAdia

The issue for me is one of honor also. I find nothing wrong when one party in a long distance relationship move to be nearer the other and obviously it has to be Charlene in this case. I also find nothing wrong with Albert helping her to find a job or career (although I'm sure that people will criticize it). My issue is creating this facade of a career using the Olympics. Here’s a link to an article that explains why I find Charlene’s sponsorships and her constant claims of training (as she prances around the world and Monaco performing duties with Albert) so dishonorable to the Olympic spirit.

In this article (excerpt below), the president of the SA Olympic Committee complains that the country needs to invest in its stellar athletes. South Africa won 38 medals in the Commonwealth games last spring, but many athletes had to make huge financial sacrifices to even train and attend these games to represent their country honorably (of course Charlene wasn’t there). It seems most of their athletes have to work because the stipend (if any) and sponsorships are small and few for the majority of the athletes (even the stellar ones). I do not believe for one minute that Charlene is gathering sponsorhips to support herself while she diligently trains for the Olympics (as she did to make the 2000 team and as she did to try to make the 2004 team, although she fail). Charlene is gathering sponsorhips(obviously with the help of her billion dollar boyfriend, especially since Albert’s company SBM just signed a partnership with Audi) and making claims of training for the Olympics as a public relations scheme. It sounds so much more honorable, as she attend event after event and vacation after vacation with Albert, to say that she has a career and it is training for the Olympics as opposed to saying (what is clearly obvious) that she has no job or career and that she is Albert’s mistress. They both are cheapening the Olympic spirit with this farce of a career. It’s really more disgusting when you read of athletes who work multiple jobs just to even to afford to train.



Charlene may not know certain social graces, but she knows what it takes to win at swimming. This woman has been competing since she was a little girl (I think 8 years old). And, I do not thin kthat she is foolish enough to compete on an international level in Europe. Charlene may say one thing - like she said that she was coming too Europe to compete. But clearly this is another one of those many times where Charlene says one thing, but actually does another (I think this is a requirement to be an Albert angel). Here's the full article quoting her after the April nationals.


That was April. Has she "race more" in Europe to "improve" (at swimming that is)? Here's why I believe that Charlene will not compete on an international level in Europe. I don’t know if this was posted, but here’s a link to a SSA March 30, 2007 article of a televised South African invitational only short course event that Charlene swam April 7, 2007 a week before the South Africa’s nationals. The winners were actually paid and they only had 5 women events. They invited top SA swimmers and international women swimmers who just competed in the world championships. Charlene participated in the 50m backstroke and placed 5th out of 6 swimmers. It seems that there were no prelim or intermed event, just the finals – so she was really 5th out of 6th. Below is an excerpt and here’s the link to the full article describing the event and here’s a link to the results. Of course, it was honor to be invited.


Well, I cleared my files of Charlene's glorius swimming comeback.

Not quite.
What honour of the Olympics are you alluding to? When have you ever made your known before this Olympic opportunity to bash up Pa & Cw for the honorability of the Olympics? I suppose your name appears on the petition to return the Olympic games to Greece and the Elgin Marbles too? You are no better than them because you are using the Olympics as away to damn them with the historical weight of the Olympics. I seriously doubt the Olympics and their spirit their honorablity etc meananything to you except and opportunity to trounce on Pa & Cw and that is unethical not Olympian JMO. That is a type of unethical.And you are not connected in any way shape or form to these sacrosanct mystagogical Olympics nor have you ever shown anything but an aversion for philhellenism[you have not alluded to it ever not once although paca does all the time]} so what is this except theoretically pouncing with an excuse as bad as Pa's and Cw's? and I know people on this board can read.Tell us when you contact the ministry in Athens and tell them what you have written here . I think they will be less amused at you for the same reasons that they are with the other two Pa & Cw.

[sandsla]

Originally Posted by Jaya

What this has to do with the Olympics is beyond me and I think My Adia is arguing this for the sake of it.Both of you are digressing with every turn because those who went here Auschwitz concentration camp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia _contentration _camp were far more talented than this Teutonic filmaker you refer to and the Crown Prosecutor arguing the minutae for the sake of argument against Miss Wittsock.
SHALOM

Jaya,

That is precisely why I made the comment that I did!

It is evident that I did not mean to use it to promote a political debate! But it seems that there are more than a few people on this board that think all the talk regarding Charlene and her Olympic aspirations are for the purpose of something else. I for one think that Charlene admitting (why she did this?) she had only trained for three months is kind of rubbing it into the other athletes faces, as well as the promotion spots that she is getting for other reasons than being an athlete (which is clear). I do not think this represents the Olympic spirit. IMO, I think they both should be ashamed for taking advantage of their public position, both being former Olympians & Albert a member of the IOC. This is not sportsmanship! IMO.

I will PM you later to talk about other subjects, please don't use the board for something that it was not intended. I think it is clear what I meant.

[Jaya]

Originally Posted by sandsla

Jaya,

That is precisely why I made the comment that I did!

It is evident that I did not mean to use it to promote a political debate! But it seems that there are more than a few people on this board that think all the talk regarding Charlene and her Olympic aspirations are for the purpose of something else. I for one think that Charlene admitting (why she did this?) she had only trained for three months is kind of rubbing it into the other athletes faces, as well as the promotion spots that she is getting for other reasons than being an athlete (which is clear). I do not think this represents the Olympic spirit. IMO, I think they both should be ashamed for taking advantage of their public position, both being former Olympians & Albert a member of the IOC. This is not sportsmanship! IMO.

I will PM you later to talk about other subjects, please don't use the board for something that it was not intended. I think it is clear what I meant.

Please do e-mail Theodore Pangalos who is listed here as a person to e-mail with your concerns in Athens regarding this issue- He deals with the Olympic spirit issues .
you have brought other issues in that have nothing to do with this and it is not I that am using this board to speak of Hiitler's filmmaker which has nothing to do with anything period and is contentious to say the least.
You have been given the link go there to Theodore he would love to hear that you are concerned about the Olympic spirit... e-mail him pls why do you not go? He would love to hear from you. please..............No debate can ensue or will as it is closed Hitler, Pa & Cw
Peace.

[paca]

To be quite honest with you guys, I don't think that there are actually a lot of athletes who go to the Olympics who really still can honestly make claim of the Olympic spirit. Apart maybe from those who never have a chance to win but particpate anyways and make great sacrifices to do so (and those are usually being smiled upon, sometimes encouraged but also turned into caricatures like Eddy the eagle). But when we are talking about those who are actually competing for the medals, I belief the majority has their minds on the money that metal can make them and not the honour to have been allowed to compete with the best. And a lot of them do not hesitate to use unethical means to get what they set out for. So I think we can easily put the moral and ethical question of the Olympics at rest. Charlene does neither have the culture nor the brains to understand what the Olympics are about. In my book having participated in the Olympics doesn't necessarily make you an Olympian. Not nowadays that is.

But I think what we can all say, no matter where we stand, Charlene's words do not correspond with her actions. And that is what I believe MyAdia was trying to point out among other things. And in my book you are always allowed to call someone a liar when you face one. And Charlene is lying. Some call it PR, I call it lying as is all action that is intended to make people believe that you are sth that you are not. But luckily for all of us, sooner or later they all trip over their lies which is nowadays called image. We only need to sit back and watch. It will happen all by itself. And we should not forget, that Albert is supporting her in this so in all fairness we should apply the same rules to him. He is as much a liar as Charlene. He is even helping her or maybe even instigating this facade. How does that go with his very impressive speech from 2 years ago about morality and ethics. Where are his ethics? Have they now degenerated to the state of Crownjewels which you only get out of the safe on special occasions? Ethics are sth you need to apply everyday, which is why it is sometimes hard for people to stand by them. But to Albert, like his claims to the green way of life are only taken out for show. They are not real convictions, otherwise he would act quite differently. And he would demand the same of people with whom he surrounds himself. The fact that this Olympic charade still goes through the media with his approval, speaks volumes of who Albert really is. And he is the one who should know better as he actually did receive an education.

[royal pauper]

Originally Posted by paca

And we should not forget, that Albert is supporting her in this so in all fairness we should apply the same rules to him. He is as much a liar as Charlene. He is even helping her or maybe even instigating this facade. How does that go with his very impressive speech from 2 years ago about morality and ethics. Where are his ethics? Have they now degenerated to the state of Crownjewels which you only get out of the safe on special occasions? Ethics are sth you need to apply everyday, which is why it is sometimes hard for people to stand by them. .

I have heard that Monaco doesn't have Crownjewels!

[MyAdia]

Originally Posted by paca

That was actually my point. Her image is totally set out to be commercial. When I used brand I did not mean that they were trying to give her the princess image, I meant that they were trying to sell her or having her sell sth by giving her a certain image and associating her with certain products...

Paca, yes I agree that “they” are trying to create some type of image, but I am also having a hard time believing Princess. There’s already the Audi ad, now the Nike ad and a possible fashion ad. Why do this for a Princess image? I’ve already stated my reasons (ALHYM - other women) why I am having a hard time buying this relationship as a love story. To say the least, Albert’s indiscreet actions and behavior with other women is not a good foundation for a solid and happy marriage (Charlene really looks uncomfortable at that fashion show but Albert seems to be in heaven). That’s why I am more inclined to believe that Albert is just trying to help her with some sort of career. But, could Albert really have that much disrespect for his monarchy to use it to promote Charlene? In the article I posted about the Nike “daring” new ad “Just Do It” that will include Charlene, Charlene is mentioned as a swimming star. Ok, she is a swimming star, but please don’t forget the South African swimming champions are the 27 men and women who have been consistently busting their butts off training and competing and who are currently in Algiers getting ready for the All-Africa games July 11-23.

Originally Posted by paca

To be quite honest with you guys, I don't think that there are actually a lot of athletes who go to the Olympics who really still can honestly make claim of the Olympic spirit…

Paca, if you read this BBC news article titled “Is the Olympic spirit dead?” and especially the comments you’ll find that there are some people who agree with you that the Olympic Spirit is dead. Some feel that drug taking and the pursuit of profit with the high corporate sponsorships have really killed the spirit of the games. Albert will most likely be in Guatemala City from July 4-11, 2007 where the 119th IOC Session will elect the Host City for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014. Maybe he will refresh his Olympic spirit.

I still stand by my earlier statement that Charlene’s many inconsistent statements that she is training for the Olympics is dishonorable. Here’s a quote from Charlene in a Dec 7, 2006 Bunte article where Charlene explains to the kids how she has been preparing for the Olympic.

It does her big fun to satisfy the thirst for knowledge of the little ones. How it is then to prepare for Olympia, they want to know.
" It is the best diet ", she answers. " Hard work. I must get up every day early, even if I am tired. I must train eight hours during the day and may not even eat what I want. No chocolate cookies, no hamburgers. In the evening I may not go out and drink wine. " ["Es ist die beste Diaet", antwortet sie. "Harte Arbeit. Ich muss jeden Tag frueh aufstehen, auch wenn ich muede bin. Ich muss acht Stunden am Tag trainieren und darf nicht mal essen, was ich will. Keine Schokokekse, keine Hamburger. Abends darf ich nicht ausgehen und Wein trinken."]

Also her coach made this statement, "We have searched a suitable training place in Europe! However, we have nowhere found ideal conditions. We could not have found there the rest and the necessary peace to prepare professionally for the South African masteries being applied in March. The pressure would have become too big. We could have done no step without onlookers.” I guess they don’t have that problem anymore now that she is in Europe – no more pressure and onlookers for her 8-hours day training.

According to this SSA pdf file link (the 50m times are no longer posted), the women’s Olympic qualifying A times are 25.43 for the 50m backstroke, 1.01.70 for the 100m backstroke. Now compare those times to Charlene’s April 2007 backstroke times where she claimed her “title”: 30.16 for the 50m and 1.04.19 for the 100m. Ironically, the South African women’s record for the 50m backstroke is 29:18 set by Charlene in Sep 3, 2002. Charlene has been swimming competitively for over 20 years, she knows what kind of training it takes to get to the Olympics. Her best backstroke time was 5 years ago at 29:18 and she didn’t make the 2004 Olympics with probably 8-hours day training and constant competitions. So again, I stand by my statement that Charlene’s statements that she is training for the Beijing Olympics is dishonorable to the Olympic Spirit because she knows what she is doing in Monaco compared to what her teammates are doing to prepare for the Olympics are worlds apart.

From the Olympic website, here is the first Fundamental Principles of Olympism from the Olympic Charter.

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

[paca]

Originally Posted by MyAdia

Oh my goodness, does he thinks that Charlene will bring the glitter and glamour back?

Well, haven't you seen Charlenes latest glitter dress? She is certainly taking him literally It is in her preferred haltertop style of course. so no surprises there.

At least in the opera house people made very clear why they were there and that they couldn't care less about the two up in their loge (who knows what they were doing in the dark anyways).

Interesting, when Albert arrived, you wouldn't have noticed apart from that it finally started. No one got up. People didn't turn to look. IT wasn't full, only friends and parents and a lot with young ones left after the first intermission. (I guess the couple snug out during second intermission to hand the price. Not sure whether they came back though, but no one cared anyways. But Albert should have been at the dinner. Strange thing though the Balett was supposed to be gala, so dinner jacket for the men, and Albert seems to have been wearing a normal suit while Charlene wears evening dress. Looks like it is no surprise that Charlene is always wrongly dressed, since her boyfriend doesn't seem to know what to wear either. Luckily, much to the dismay of the opera employees, the audience didn't bother to acknowledge that it was a gala either.) People did not seem to feel honoured by his presence. For Antoinette on easter event they all got up and she made a signal to tell people not to. For their prince they didn't bother.

[hibou]

Originally Posted by paca

Well, haven't you seen Charlenes latest glitter dress? She is certainly taking him literally It is in her preferred haltertop style of course. so no surprises there.

At least in the opera house people made very clear why they were there and that they couldn't care less about the two up in their loge (who knows what they were doing in the dark anyways).

Interesting, when Albert arrived, you wouldn't have noticed apart from that it finally started. No one got up. People didn't turn to look. IT wasn't full, only friends and parents and a lot with young ones left after the first intermission. (I guess the couple snug out during second intermission to hand the price. Not sure whether they came back though, but no one cared anyways. But Albert should have been at the dinner. Strange thing though the Balett was supposed to be gala, so dinner jacket for the men, and Albert seems to have been wearing a normal suit while Charlene wears evening dress. Looks like it is no surprise that Charlene is always wrongly dressed, since her boyfriend doesn't seem to know what to wear either. Luckily, much to the dismay of the opera employees, the audience didn't bother to acknowledge that it was a gala either.) People did not seem to feel honoured by his presence. For Antoinette on easter event they all got up and she made a signal to tell people not to. For their prince they didn't bother.

Actually paca that's an excellent way to do it. Ignore them and then give Antoinette a standing ovation. I think if they do that more often he will see how unpopular he is becoming and I still think the booing at the small states should have told him what people think of Charlene. I think Albert is in a bubble and he can't see what is really happening. A message is being sent that Albert keeps ignoring. I feel sad for Monaco. Charlene not attending the SA dinner in honor of the SA swimmers was also a huge mistake on her part as they will snub her even if she becomes Princess. She has not brought any corp sponsorships to the SA team only herself. Selfish on both their parts and sad for Monaco. JMO

[MyAdia]

Originally Posted by paca

By making out as if she is able to support this lifestyle all by herself and not depending on Albert, they are trying to boost her image. Though it escapes me, why you would want to establish her in the advertising market, when she is aiming for a different title. Having some kind of income is not a bad idea, but if she wants a positive image she needs to have sth more profound then a few glossy pics and giving speeches that someone rehearsed with her and wrote for her. You are absolutely right in saying it is a facade.

I don’t think her speaking engagements were the kind that a PR team would have to prepare and rehearse a speech for her. If you look at the pictures in this post where I discussed her speaking engagements, it does not seem that her audience is the type where she will need some PR team to prepare a sophisticated speech. I only quoted some of her comments, but in the full article Charlene gave advice about things that any competitive athlete would know and do. Ironically, the girl on the right in this picture, 16 year old Vinette Roux, beat Charlene in the 50m freestyle in a regional event on Jan 12, 2007. Charlene was a champion swimmer even as a little girl, so I believe that she can have a career coaching young girls. BUT she has to change her mantra and tell them DO NOT be like she was and think that grades (an education) is not important. The problem I have is the integrity behind Charlene’s statements when she starts saying what SHE does to train for the Olympics. In her statements she said she doesn’t drink or go out while she is training. But, we’ve all seen pictures that contradict these statements while she was supposedly training. This is what I consider the facade – the Olympic training story. Here’s a link to a Swimming South Africa pdf file of the Code of Conduct for their national athletes. Here’s what it says about alcoholic drinking on page 4.

8.1 The athlete shall not, while the athletes are at a training camp, in training for a competition or during the period allocated for preparations for a competitions, including the duration of the competition or training camp, without the prior permission of the Team Management (which permission shall not be unreasonably withheld) –…8.1.2 consume alcohol; …

Last July, there were pictures of her drinking at events like Princess Ira dinner, however this year we’ve only seen pictures of her drinking water at public events. But, in the non-public events in some paparazzi photos, you see glasses of wine in front of her. As, in these pictures of her in Rome and these pictures of her at the Monaco country club during the small games. Again, say one thing, but do another. Also, in all of her advice giving for “keeping it natural and healthy,” I am sure smoking has to be some where on the non-natural and non-healthy list of things not to do while competitively swimming. These are some pictures of her smoking during last year’s Grand Prix. Of course I know that everyone one in Albert’s family smoke, but remember they are not swimmers claiming to be training for the Beijing Olympics. Also, it just doesn’t look good for a princess wannabe hanging over a balcony at an official event puffing on a cigarette (ok I will admit I personally find cigarette smoking repulsive. So, it is never acceptable for me). There was a recent article about Kate Middleton (after her break-up with Prince William) with a close up picture of a pack of cigarettes in her purse. Although Kate may smoke, but in her four years of her dating William there was never a photo of her smoking at a public event with him.

I know these may seem like little things, but if she is deceptive about little things, what about bigger ones?

[MyAdia]

Originally Posted by sm1939

I think she looks nice, Stephanie has dressed in far worse !

I absolutely agree that Stephaine has sometimes dressed far worse! But, the problem I have with the often Princess Stephanie comments/comparisons in defense (or support) of Charlene's selection of attire, behavior, education, career, discretion, etc., is that Charlene is rarely compared to pre-princess Letizia, Mathilde, Maxima, or Mary - just Stephanie. Based on many of the comments that I have read on these message boards, Princes Stephanie is not held to the highest regard as a model princess from many posters and royal watchers. So why give Charlene such a perceived low standard to meet? If one is rooting for the best interest of Monaco to represent Monaco locally and internationally as the wife of a head of state, why not raise the bar a little.

Edit to add: I say perceived because I think in the humanitarian area of genuinely caring about people, Stephanie seems to be the real thing. Has Charlene really demonstrated this in any of the 29 years of her life as someone who lives in a country with some of the biggest humantarian problems?

[sm1939]

I didnt conpare stephanie to Letizia or the 3 Ms because ,
I think they dress fine, Im just tied of people always having a go at charlene's dress sense,( not dressing fit for a partner of a prince etc) when as Iv said Stephanie dress's just as bad , ( and she is a princess) also I think that they do have kind of the say dress sense.
in the Humanitarian , I dont know what Stephanie does, I wasnt talking about that , just her clothes sense that's all.

[LadyMichelle]

Originally Posted by sm1939

I didnt conpare stephanie to Letizia or the 3 Ms because ,
I think they dress fine, Im just tied of people always having a go at charlene's dress sense,( not dressing fit for a partner of a prince etc) when as Iv said Stephanie dress's just as bad , ( and she is a princess) also I think that they do have kind of the say dress sense.
in the Humanitarian , I dont know what Stephanie does, I wasnt talking about that , just her clothes sense that's all.

If Albert is happy with Charlene, I'm happy too... but.

But I think that Charlene is not princess material. And this not regarding her way to dress.

Is more then 1 year that Charlene is Flying around Prince Albert, and only things that she show are:

1- No education. She drop out the school, and she daclares that for her swim was more important then a good education

2- No sens of respect. Do you remember the photos of Mrs Wittstock kissing and sucking nipples of PA? Do you remember photos of her and Albert jocking during the opening cerimony in Tourin? Do you remember photos of her touching Albert legs (I hope it was his leg ) @ lunch with some friends
two weeks ago? I think that a good princess should have control of her hormones....

3- No ideas about the future. I will have a better opinion of Mrs Charlene when she finally will show to us who she really is. She is without work, the best result in her carrer was partecipate at Olympics game and finished 5. For the moment she is partyng around with money of her boyfriend. She is everiday declaring that she is still an olympic swimmer and that she is training but in the same time she is drinking, smoking and we have no clue of any kind of activity except using her Image in order to make money. She is the tipical young mistress for an aged bussiness man with a lot of money...she is the doll of the boss. And the think that I cannot understand is that she like it.

No matter with Stephy. First of all Stephy is a well educated and intelligent woman that in some moments of her life decides to brake schemes and follow his heart.

PS some time wears not appropriated dresses, this is true, but instead of partying around, she is as single mother growing up beautiful children, and taking care about what happens in the world. as MyAdia wrote:
I say perceived because I think in the humanitarian area of genuinely caring about people, Stephanie seems to be the real thing.
Has Charlene really demonstrated this in any of the 29 years of her life as someone who lives in a country with some of the biggest humantarian problems?

My answer is no.

Which kind of princess will be? The one sitted on the couch eating bon bon and changing colour to nails?

I repeat if Albert is Happy, I'm Happy too..but this is not the kind of princess i would like reprensent the country of my family.

[MyAdia]

Originally Posted by LadyMichelle

If Albert is happy with Charlene, I'm happy too... but.

Since founding finding out about Albert, I've seen literally hundreds of photos of Albert looking very happy with various types of women over his lifetime. Prince Albert is not a married man. I doubt if he feels obligated to take any woman out, especially around his country if he was unhappy being with them. Therefore, I believe that Albert is definitely enjoying his time with Charlene, as he is/has been with any woman he has taken out. I doubt if anyone in his life or any poster wants to see him unhappy. However, the discussion will be quite boring if one couldn't critique a girlfriend of Albert if Albert was happy. Does Albert's enjoyment with women mean that the woman is devoid of any faults or is a hallowed being? I think recent history has shown that this is definitely not the case.

Edit to add: True happiness is really kind of hard to judge by looking at a picture. I'm sure many of us have known people to seemingly be enjoying themselves who are not really happy. I've really become kind of jaded when it comes to judging the happiness of public figures by their public appearances.

[lilae]

About some "hum hum" pics, Maldives pics were taken when they were in "private hollidays" so I think that we can't speak about respect but about a mistake.(albert's mistake too)
About country club pics and opening ceremony Turin... OK ..error but Albert was here ... and he joked, was agreeing with hand on???
So I agree with myamia, he enjoys his time with Charlene... and public appearances are not private life.

[MyAdia]

Here’s a link to the full article (and a picture of Charlene) about Nike’s ad launch that includes Charlene. Nike had a big launch last month in Johannesburg that included the women that it has chosen to do their ad, but “swimming star Charlene Wittstock couldn’t attend the launch.” Of course, we all saw the videos and pictures of her in Monaco so we know that she couldn’t possibly leave Albert’s side and deprive her subjects of her presence to actually attend a launch to pay honor to the company that is paying her. I would love to know the date of the launch to find out exactly which glorious event that Charlene just could not do with out to attend this launch. What makes Charlene’s non-appearance and show of ingratitude more disgusting is this statement by one of the chosen women: “By acknowledging that ‘every day, people fight to overcome the battles of poverty, crime, abuse, disability or inequality,’ Nike asks us to individually identify our fight, and to use our bodies as ‘weapons’ across the country’s sports fields, in pursuit of that ideal.”

Oh my goodness! What a perverted world we live in when people like Charlene Wittstock can actually prevail in it. I am sorry, but this has really gotten under my skin because of the next article that I will post about a real South African swimming champion that is facing hardships because of the lack of sponsors. Oh but I know stuff like this does not matter to some people as long as Charlene looks pretty on the pictures! Can't wait to start all those real important Princess Charlene fashion threads. Here’s an excerpt of the article.

Nike Women’s Sports Stars Making Impact
Written by gsport Features Desk
Monday, 02 July 2007

...
Swimming star, Charlene Wittstock couldn’t attend the launch, but this was her message to the youth.

“There’s no bigger privilege than to represent your country and swimming has given me that opportunity when I represented South Africa at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

“If your body is willing and your mind is willing, you’ll be able to achieve at any level.”
...

[Elspeth]

I've split the posts about Albert and Charlene's relationship out of the Charlene Wittstock current events thread. Posts discussing this relationship belong here, not there. Please bear in mind our rules about the difference between criticism and insult and the difference between opinion and gossip.

Elspeth

Royal Forums administrator

[Jaya]

I hope that Pa &CW marry. The sooner they do the better.
I hope they re-affirm our faith in life and the long lost sanctity & covenant of the marriage bond in this manner. I hope we all read soon of a "happy ending"

[paca]

the couple are featured in this weeks point de vue. But a beautiful picture of Grace adorns the cover. They have a 35 page special on her by Frederic Mitterand.

[suztav]

Albert:

For many years while your father was alive you appeared to be the dutiful son providing support for your widowed father and learning by the side of the man whom you would succeed as the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Since his death however you have not met those same standards. It is your duty, as the Sovereign Prince of a country, to represent the highest standards of the Monagasque people in so many areas -- most notably, in support of a family life and respect for woman.

Unfortunately, you have made a conscious decision to revel in the frills and thrills of life as the bachelor Sovereign Prince rather than take it seriously.

There are far too many people who have posted about the lack of appropriateness of Charlene as your companion and/or future wife. Is this fair? Perhaps not. However, if you want people to respect you and your role than you have to give them something to respect. Fair? Perhaps not ... but, that's life.

I hope you find someone you love and respect to marry. If that person is Charlene then I suggest you do so as soon as possible and provide her with the appropriate training to support you in you role as Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Do I think she is "the one." Most certainly not. I have posted before that you "need" (and I do mean "need") a strong woman who can support you and represent you, your family, and Monaco appropriately. Find her and quit acting like a 19-year-old college student at Spring break with the blond from the sorority house. You are almost 50 years old. Grow up.