Princess Charlene on the family tragedy that fuels her royal work

Princess Charlene of Monaco has spoken of the family tragedy that inspired her lifelong crusade to prevent drownings.

The 47-year-old has been working tirelessly to improve water safety across the principality and around the world.

The mission is arguably her greatest legacy.

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Learning to swim, Princess Charlene said, "should be a fundamental right, just like learning to read".

She admitted to being "deeply concerned by the sharp rise in the number of drownings", with 193 people losing their lives in France between June 1 and July 23 this year.

The princess, who was born in Zimbabwe but moved to South Africa when she was 12, spoke to Ouest-France and told the newspaper about a cousin who drowned.

"Richard drowned in a river, very close to my uncle's house," she said.

"He was only five years old. It was devastating for our whole family. I don't think that kind of pain ever really goes away."

Her charity, The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, aims to teach children to swim and was inspired by Richard's death.

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Through her foundation, Charlene has been working to save lives for more than 10 years with her Learn To Swim and Water Safety programs, which have been deployed in more than 45 countries.

She recently called drowning a "a public health emergency".

"Drowning is silent and can happen in a matter of moments, even in familiar environments," she said.

"My goal is simple: for every child to associate water with confidence and joy, rather than fear."

Princess Charlene said there was an urgent need for added vigilance and prevention to avoid further tragedy.

She previously said of her mission: "Too many children die from drowning every year because they don't know how to swim yet just a few swimming lessons could save their lives and help them to feel more comfortable and confident in the water.

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"My foundation is orientated towards these children who can become responsible adults if we show them the way through the values of sport and solidarity; so together, we can help these young athletes to succeed."

Before marrying Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2011, Charlene was a successful athlete in the pool.

At 18, Charlene won the South African Championship and in 2000 her team came in fifth at the Sydney Olympic Games.

That same year, she won the gold medal for the 200m backstroke event at the "Marenostrum" international swimming meeting in Monaco, where she would meet her future husband.

In 2002, Charlene won three gold medals at the swimming World Cup and the silver medal during the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

But her career came to an end in 2007 after qualifying for the Beijing Olympics, when Charlene was forced to withdraw due to numerous injuries, including a fractured ankle and shoulder trauma.

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