Princess Charlene vows not to push her children down same path as Prince Albert II

Speaking about whether she and Prince Albert's eight-year-old twins would follow in their Olympic careers, Princess Charlene said: "I don’t want to push them into training intensely for a sport.

"The prince and I were Olympic athletes.

"It’s a choice that’s very demanding and needs constant work, which speaking from experience, can have an impact on your childhood."

While Charlene, 45, was an Olympic swimmer in her home country of South Africa, the Prince of Monaco, 65, competed in bobsledding at the Winter Olympics five times between 1988 and 2002.

The princess asserted that despite not pushing Jacques and Gabriella to compete in the Olympics, they are still very sporty - just like their parents.

She told Monaco Matin: "The first thing that felt essential for my husband and I was to teach them how to swim so they wouldn’t be scared of swimming.

"These days, they’re very confident in the water and Prince Albert is often with them taking part in aquatic activities, for example over the summer."

As well as swimming, the Monegasque twins are good at dancing and martial arts, according to the royal.

Charlene stated: "Gabriella has a passion for hip-hop dancing. Jacques practises taekwondo.

"The important thing is to give them a good education, self-confidence and a happy childhood."

LATEST ROYAL NEWS:

• Prince William to receive special prize on iconic TV programme
  
• King receives Chief Rabbi for private audience in wake of attacks on Israel
• William accused of being 'dirty' after rude joke alongside Kate

The mother-of-two continued: "Gabriella is pretty spontaneous, she’s quite confident.

"I think it’s the difference between boys and girls at that age, when girls are perhaps more expressive.

"They complement each other in a way and are learning about their new environment.

"But they’re still young and are changing day by day."