Royal Watch News

Princess Charlene's birthday surprise for grandmother

Aug 15, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert

Monaco's Princess Charlene flew home to South Africa at the weekend to surprise her 91-year-old grandmother, Sylvia Wittstock, on her birthday.

The royal - who is married to Prince Albert - thrilled her grandmother when she dropped in to see her at Rynpark Old Age Home, accompanied by parents Mike and Lynette Wittstock, and her two brothers, Gareth and Saun.

According to looklocal.co..za, Sylvia said: 'This is the best day of my life, I am 91 years old and I feel great!'

The staff at Rynpark, together with the princess's family, sang happy birthday to Sylvia as they celebrated her special day.

It's been a busy few weeks for Charlene who couldn't keep her emotions in check as she cheered her friend Chad le Clos to a shock victory in the men's 200m Butterfly at the London Olympic Games last month, where he beat record holder Michael Phelps into second place.

Charlene - who was accompanied by her husband Prince Albert at the London Aquatic Centre - later joined Chad's family for the medal ceremony and wiped away a tear as the South African national anthem played out through the building.

Charlene competed with the South African female team in the 2000 Sydney Games, but only placed fifth in the women's 4 x 100 metre Medley.

She retired from competitive swimming after she failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games.