Richards Bay fit for a princess

FORMER Zululand Observer journalist, Tanya Waterworth was responsible for the writing and co-ordination of the book for Princess Charlène of Monaco, along with a team of photographers, including wildlife shots by Graeme Swarts from Richards Bay.

Princess Charlene fondly recalled her time spent in Zululand, following the signing of her book, ‘Kwa-Zulu Natal Land of Dreams, Terre et Reves’ in Monte Carlo last weekend.

At the official book signing held at the Port Palace Hotel in Monaco, the Princess said she was ‘delighted’ with the book, which depicted her home province.

Following the signing, the Princess shared tea with the group of South Africans who had flown in for the function.

Reminiscing on her days in Zululand, she said with a laugh, ‘I enjoyed Richards Bay, including my morning cheesecake at the Elephant & I.’

The other photographers on the team were Durban based Vaughan Treyvellan and Brett Florens, as well as Monaco based Sebastien Darasse, while French writer Annick Thebia-Melsan was responsible for translation and additional text. The book is in both English and French.

From his home in Richards Bay, Swarts said he is honoured to have 12 of his Zululand photographs featured in the book.

‘I fondly remember meeting Charlène during her stay in town in 2006 when she was hiding away from the paparazzi to train for the Beijing Olympics.

‘She was so down to earth, attending braais and hanging out at the Ski Boat Club.

‘So when I got the call from Tanya (Waterworth) asking me to submit photos of Zululand for Charlène’s book, I was thrilled.

‘It is special for me as a friend and photographer to be part of this project.’

Waterworth, now living in the Cape and who went to the signing said, “It was a very different project and I enjoyed the challenge. Being invited to Monaco was also a great privilege and the Monagesque people are very warm and welcoming. Monte Carlo is a wonderful mix between Grace Kelly glamour and James Bond cool. It’s all about royalty and the super rich having a good time.

The idea for the coffee table book was conceived by Monaco businessman and friend of the royal family, Lotfi Maktouf who worked with the Princess on the concept. The primary goal of the book was to show the Princess’s home and background to the Monagesque people, as well as to the many visitors to Monaco. At the signing, Maktouf said they had had an overwhelming response to the book.

Although the Princess, then Charlene Wittstock grew up in Benoni, she moved to Kwa Zulu Natal for her Olympic swimming training. She trained in both Ballito and Richards Bay and came to regard the province as her home. At the time she was already dating Prince Albert of Monaco and started training in Richards Bay around 2005 where she could focus on her swimming away from the glare of the paparazzi.