Princess Charlene surprises in sheer lace top on daring pre-wedding date with Prince Albert

Softer tones and modern cuts shape Monaco’s Princess Charlene‘s wardrobe today, so you may be surprised to see her more vampy date night look before marrying Prince Albert.

Back in 2007, four years before their royal wedding, former Olympic swimmer Charlene, 48, dressed her athletic figure in a ‘naked’ top as she joined her then-boyfriend, 68, at a reception at the 2007 Monte Carlo Television Festival.

The nude-coloured cami was layered over a sheer black lace top, which co-ordinated with her knee-length skirt and stiletto heels. 

Staying true to noughties beauty trends, Charlene styled her bright blonde hair in a middle parting with face-framing bangs, and accentuated her eyes with frosted silver eyeshadow. Meanwhile, Prince Albert looked dashing in a blue suit and a playful patterned tie.

Charlene’s gradual style transformation

© Getty

After relocating to Monaco, the Zimbabwean-born athlete – who now shares twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella with Albert – admitted she developed her personal style. 

She told Tatler: “But coming into myself has taken time. Because I’ve got broad shoulders, clean, simple, elegant lines suit me best.”

Charlene learned to embrace silhouettes that highlighted her swimmer’s posture, shifting away from more daring fashion hooked to fleeting trends, and leaning towards more timeless, fluid tailoring.

© Éric Mathon / Palais princier

Today, this philosophy shines through in Charlene’s monochromatic looks that blend formality with femininity, such as the pastel pink suit and matching heels she wore at the swearing-in ceremony of new Minister of State Christophe Mirmand in 2025.

At the time, stylist Oriona Robb told HELLO! of her heatwave-approved outfit: “The soft, fluid tailoring speaks volumes without saying a word. It’s structured but not severe, feminine yet modern.

“The simple colour palette elongates her silhouette, and the relaxed wide-leg trousers paired with the clean, collarless jacket exude grace and control in equal measure.”

She called the look, which she finished with minimal accessories and a nude heel, a “refined power statement, and it’s effortlessly elegant in a sea of traditional formality.”