Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene has sounded the alarm over rising drowning incidents this summer, calling for heightened vigilance around water, particularly concerning children. The warning, issued via an interview with Monaco-Matin, comes in the wake of a tragic accident in Antibes on Monday, August 4, when two young children lost their lives after slipping from adult supervision at a swimming pool.
Statistics from France’s Public Health Agency show a troubling trend: between June 1 and July 23, 2025, there were 702 reported drowning incidents, 193 of which were fatal. This represents a 45% increase compared with the same period last year. For Princess Charlene, who has championed water safety through her foundation since 2012, such incidents underscore the urgent need for preventive measures.
Her foundation’s global “Learn to Swim” program remains central to this mission, promoting swimming skills, pool safety, and lifesaving techniques for children and adults alike. Over the past decade, the initiative has expanded to more than 45 countries, aiming to make swimming competence and water safety a universal skill.
Monaco itself has implemented a rigorous approach to water education. Swimming lessons begin in the final year of kindergarten, with survival and distance tests incorporated into school curricula from the age of 7, ensuring students are prepared for water sports and emergencies. Specialized teachers and lifeguards oversee training, reaching over 4,000 students annually. Cooperation with French and Italian authorities also strengthens rescue operations at sea, highlighting the region’s commitment to safety.
The Princess’s foundation emphasises that drowning is a silent and rapid threat, capable of affecting anyone, regardless of swimming ability. Prevention relies on constant supervision, education in lifesaving techniques, and widespread awareness. The recent surge in incidents across France and Europe reinforces that these measures remain critically important.
