Princess Charlene of Monaco to start 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours

Princess Charlene of Monaco has been named as the official starter for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Her Serene Highness, Princess Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer, is actively involved in the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix will wave the start of the 87th running of the iconic endurance race which takes place between June 15-16.

The Automobile Club de I’Ouest says the 2019 starter will bring Monaco to Le Mans and further “strengthens the ties between two monuments of motorsport, two places whose names evoke the human endeavour and technological prowess of racing.”

“We are delighted and very proud to announce that H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco has accepted to be the starter of the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said ACO president Pierre Fillon.

“As an accomplished sportswoman, she is the perfect advocate for the promotion of women in motorsport and in society as a whole. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has always encouraged women to be involved in all aspects of motor racing.

“We are not merely following rules or applying quotas, we are showing women that there is a place for them in motorsport. We’re not just talking about hopes and ambitions, we’re talking about taking part here and now, building, doing, living their lives as they wish.”

Previous starters in recent years have included Tennis ace Rafael Nadal, F1 boss Chase Carey and actor Brad Pitt.