Princess Charlene is one of Europe's most fashionable royals, often spotted during public engagements with her husband Prince Albert, and occasionally their twin nine-year-old children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.
But prior to the Princess' royal wedding and subsequent move to Monaco, the former Olympic swimmer sported a totally different look, and resided in a home far more modest than the Prince's Palace.
© GettyIn a set of unearthed photos from the then-Charlene Wittstock's competitive swimming days, the Zimbabwean-born South African athlete was seen posing in an understated living room with cream carpet to match the neutral sofa.
© GettyThe lounge space also had large windows with snippets of a leafy garden. A then-28-year-old Charlene kicked back in several shots taken in February 2006 in a pair of white linen trousers styled with a bead-adorned halterneck tube top.
© GettyThe royal, who has become infamous for her everchanging and often daring array of hairstyles, looked almost unrecognizable with straight blonde locks that surpassed her shoulders.
The prince's wife also rocked a dark grey eyeshadow, brown lip-liner, and uber-tweezed eyebrows - all perfectly on trend for the noughties.
© GettyThe under-the-radar shots were taken around the time of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin when the swimmer made her official debut with her royal beau.
© GettyPrincess Charlene featured in another set of unexpected photos from the same year where she rocked a boho chic ensemble which was poles apart from her current royal engagement wardrobe.
The now mother-of-two posed against a palm tree in a blue swimsuit and white crochet beach dress.
Her new-found royal lifestyle
© GettySince her royal wedding in 2011, the former athlete has undergone quite a lifestyle change. Charlene moved to Monaco and into the palace at Monte Carlo.
© GettyIt was certainly love at first sight the princess revealed in a 2010 interview with Tatler. "I was in Monte Carlo for a swimming competition when I first met the prince," Charlene remembered "I was 22 and focused. I wasn't in the emotional place for a relationship. But the moment I met Albert, I felt a profound sense of destiny. I have been quoted as saying I felt weak at the knees. That is a slightly trite way of phrasing it, but it is true - I knew he was the one."
© VALERY HACHECharlene went on to reveal that she had no plans of leaving South Africa in the early stages of their relationship as her focus remained on swimming.
She decided to move to the French principality when she retired from professional swimming following a slew of unfortunate injuries including a fractured ankle and shoulder trauma.
© HandoutDISCOVER: Princess Charlene and Queen Mary lead the glamorous royals at 2024 Olympics gala
As she adapted to the royal way of life, including tackling the language barrier, Charlene continued to plough her passion into swimming but in new ways. "I just raised €27,000 for my deaf former Olympic training partner,’ the princess told Tatler. "I'm determined to provide the facilities that disabled athletes need. I have and always will actively participate in raising funds."
