On swimming...

"I think you can get a lot out of swimming. It can be lonely, it’s very tiring, but swimming is great for your body, it pumps more oxygen to your cells than any other sport, it strengthens your heart and it’s great for all ages. I can swim till I’m 90, if I get there.”

On water sports...

"Living on the Côte d’Azur in Monaco, the sea is flat and it’s a great place to do activities like paddling and rowing – and hiking and running – it’s a perfect environment for outdoor sport. It’s something nice to do in the summer and it’s fun."

On turning 40...

"I’m trying to convince myself that age is just a number. But as you get older, you start to realise that you don’t recover as fast as you used to and you start to take better care of yourself and be more aware of your health. But if you keep yourself fit, healthy and strong and have a good balance going in your life and do what works for you and makes you happy, it doesn’t matter what age you are."

On being active...

"I have always loved being active and outdoors. I love hiking, paddle boarding, walking, swimming and being on my water bike.”

Editor of Women’s Health South Africa, Danielle Weakley, says, “I’ve watched enough Disney movies to know that it is not everyday that you get to meet a princess who paddle boards and water bikes. Princess Charlene is, at once, supremely true to her roots as a South African and an Olympian, but also as regal, elegant and considered as you’d expect a royal to be. We just loved shooting her for this cover exclusive and her story speaks volumes for the woman, campaigner and mom she’s become since she stepped into her official role in Monaco.”

The May 2018 edition is on sale from Monday, 23 April.

For more information, visit www.womenshealthsa.co.za. You can also follow Women's Health South Africa on Facebook or on Twitter.