Princess Charlene reflects on her physical health after medal-winning athletic career

Before she married Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Charlene was an elite level swimmer, competing in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

The former Olympian swimmer discussed with Paris-based Gala magazine about how she can no longer workout like she used to when she was training to be a medal-winning athlete.

"It can be quite difficult because my nature is to want to beat records, win medals and surpass my limits. But, at nearly 47 years old, I can no longer do that… my body won’t let me. My spirit and my heart might, but my body says no," said Princess Charlene.

In the interview, the Monegasque royal also opened up about difficulties with her health.

After contracting an ear, nose, and throat infection during a trip to Southern Africa in 2021, she was left unable to fly above 20,000 feet, read excerpts of the interview.

The illness meant she had to stay in her home country (South Africa) for about 10 months.

The Princess missed her tenth wedding anniversary, and went through multiple procedures in an attempt to remedy the situation.

Upon landing back in Monaco, the palace explained that she would be stepping back from a series of royal duties, due to ‘deep fatigue’ but now her health appears to be on the mend.

In the interview, the princess also discussed her nine-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques and their personalities.

Princess Charlene labelled her daughter as 'very curious', explaining how she asks 'lots of questions and demands a lot of attention' while her son is 'more reserved' and 'naturally very calm'.