Here are some galleries from the charity gallery this evening:
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gettyimages gallery **
daylife/gettyimagesy/reuters **
ppe gallery **
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Hola: El corazón de oro de la princesa Charlene **
Hola gallery **
Unfortunately the voice of the translator was quite loud, so in case we'll get some videos on
the internet, it won't be possible to understand all of Charlene's original speech in English,
but I've seen it live and found it quite good. It was well-formulated and charmingly presented,
she did a good job thanking all the donors of the show, the organization "A Heart for Children"
and Germany as a whole. She talked about her plans with her foundation and her swimming
training. She could have been more concret with her future projects, but well it's only been
a short speech.
But what's really been terrible and embarrassing has been the hymn of praise by former swimmer
Franziska van Almsick. If I hadn't waited for Charlene herself, I would have switched off the TV!
In my eyes - and I know there will be many who'll disagree - it's been a bad choice to ask her.
She used the stage to praise her personal friendship and with that strengthen it. And she overdid
it with that and with the praise on what Charlene has achieved so far. If Charlene had worked
as a charity princess for 20-30 years already, it would have been a bit more reasonable, but
this way it's been absurd.
Thankfully Charlene saved the situation with her perfect appearance, the laudatory speech of
Franziska van Almsick has been wasted broadcasting time that could have been used for the
good cause of the show instead!