What REALLY goes on at Monaco’s glitzy Rose Ball – the place Princess Charlene and Dame Shirley Bassey partied the evening away at excessive society occasion of the season which prices €1800 to attend
Princess Charlene, Christian Louboutin, Dame Shirley Bassey and a guest wearing THAT Versace dress made famous by J Lo in 2000 that changed the face of fashion – just a few highlights of the high society event of the season this weekend.
The Bal de la Rose (aka the Rose Ball), held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on Saturday evening, saw some of the most glamorous movers and shakers in Europe descend on the Salle des Étoiles, Sporting Monaco, for an evening of revelry and fun.
The ball, hosted by the Monegasque royal family, raises funds for the Princess Grace Foundation, the charity dedicated to the arts and established in honour of the late Grace Kelly in 1982 after her tragic death.
This year the theme of the €1800-a-ticket event was the Sunset Ball, a concept selected by Princess Caroline of Hanover – and it certainly brought the sunshine and party spirit to a somewhat overcast Cote d’Azur.
And with an exclusive ticket to the party, FEMAIL was invited by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer to join in with the revelry, glitz and glamour of the evening.
After spending 24 whirlwind hours being hosted by the sensational staff at the grand Hotel Hermitage, the party got started in the regal white marble Bar Americano in the lobby of Monte-Carlo’s Hotel de Paris on the Place du Casino, where the champagne was already flowing freely.
Then it was carriages to the venue of the evening, the Salle des Etoiles where guests donned their finest ball gowns in vibrant hues, from chiffon to lace and some with a touch of sparkle, in line with the theme celebrating the rich culture and climate of the Caribbean.
For the second year in a row, Princess Charlene of Monaco, 47, stole the show in a black Dolce & Gabbana frock with corset detailing layered asymmetrically with jade green lace and a hint of gold shimmer.
Monaco’s Bal de la Rose 2025, an annual charity event in aid of the Princess Grace Foundation, took place this weekend. Pictured L-R: Christian Louboutin, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Caroline of Hanover
Dame Shirley Bassey was among the A-listers who attended the ball, and donned a stunning beaded and lace black gown
Styling her chic blonde bob in an updo, she accessorised with dangly earrings and a simple yet stylish gold clutch and carried a bouquet of flowers as she entered the event flanked by her husband Prince Albert, 67, who is patron of the Princess Grace Foundation.
In striking contrast to Charlene’s gown was Princess Caroline, who opted for a classic off-shoulder white dress with beaded detailing.
Entering the event alongside the royal trio was the man whose name was on the guest goody bags – Christian Louboutin, who opted for his finest Caribbean-print dinner jacket and a CL cap.
The Prince and Princesses were accompanied by the younger generation of Monegasque socialites, whose fashion prowess was on full display.
Charlotte Casiraghi stunned in a classic black Chanel gown as she linked arms with fellow model Beatrice Borromeo who dazzled in Dior in scarlet.
Meanwhile both Tatiana Santo Domingo and Alexandra de Hanovre opted for Giambattista Valli.
While the Grimaldi dynasty certainly led the way in the fashion stakes, non-royal guests too dazzled on the lilac carpet in stunning and artistic creations as they descended on the ball.
The Monegasque royals led the glamour at the 800-strong event at the Salle de Étoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco, for the annual charity ball
Christian Louboutin donned his finest colourful, tropical style dinner jacket while Princess Caroline was etherial in a white off-shoulder gown with beaded detailing
Princess Caroline, who chose the theme for this year’s ball, carried flowers as she arrived at the event
Also present at the event was Princess Alexandra of Hanover who donned a pink Giambattista Valli gown. Pictured with Ben-Sylvester Strautmann
The Princely family led the glamour at the event upon their arrival. Pictured L-R: Beatrice Borromeo, Andrea Casiraghi, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Charlotte Casiraghi, Bianca Li, Christian Louboutin, Princess Charlene, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, Princess Alexandra, Ben-Sylvester Strautmann
Upon arrival each guest was gifted with Christian Louboutin’s Fétiche Le Cuir eau de parfum and a programme detailing the tombola gifts up to win for a few lucky attendees.
Among the prizes on offer were a Lady Dior handbag, a two-night stay, complete with dinner, at Monaco’s famed Hotel de Paris and, the star of the show, a lavish 18 carat white gold and diamond Chanel necklace.
The Salle des Etoiles was transformed into a Caribbean island utopia, with projections of beach bars and colourful signposts all over the walls.
On stage was the Monaco Sunset Bar, which was also part of the performance later in the evening as it served as the setting for stunning dances.
And the centre pieces were similarly stylised as the tables were adorned with palm leaves and bird of paradise flowers.
The Perrier Jouet rosé champagne was free flowing from the moment guests sat down, ensuring the atmosphere was electric from the beginning.
The Caribbean paradise was the creative vision of Christian Louboutin (pictured centre, with Bianca Li)
Guests brought the glitz and glamour to the event – including Marquise Roberta Gilardi who donned a powder blue glittering full length gown
Pictured: Monsieur Pierre Passebon et Monsieur Jacques Grange upon arrival at the Salle des Etoiles
Pictured: Lady Monika Bacardi in a red gown with diamante bodice and gathered satin skirt, and her daughter Maria Luisa, who donned a stunning powder pink gown with a tulle skirt and diamanté bodice
Charlo and Camilla of Bourbon Two-Sicilies, who hold a claim to the now defunct throne of Italy, were also in attendance at the event
Swedish actress and singer Victoria Silvsted brought the sunshine to the lilac carpet in a butter yellow gown with diamante straps
And the four course meal was just as satisfying, having been developed by a two-Michelin star chef.
Among the delicious dishes on offer were jackfruit gnocchi with lobster, mahi mahi, fillet of beef and a stunning chocolate mousse-based dessert.
There was little time to be bored during dinner as the action went down on stage while guests dined – with entertainment from carnival band Ethnick ’97, and party music from the Ebony Streel Band which immersed guests in the full holiday experience – certainly after a few glasses of bubbly, one could be forgiven for believing they really were partying in a Caribbean beach bar after dark.
Wonderfully polite and attentive staff ensured every guest’s need was catered for; and they even kept an eye on diners who slipped away from the table to hit the dancefloor to ensure their food didn’t go cold – instead serving up their next dish upon their return.
A salsa dance troupe brought the party to the stage – and later joined revellers on the dancefloor too
Louboutin’s vision brought a Caribbean island paradise to the Cote d’Azur as the Salle des Étoiles was transformed into the Sunset Ball
The centre pieces on the tables made guests feel as though they were sipping champagne on a balmy tropical evening
The carnival got started onstage while guests dined on a four-course meal put together by a two-Michelin star chef
The evening’s entertainment was capped off by a rousing performance from the Earth, Wind and Fire Experience
As for the dancefloor – it’s perhaps the only place in Europe people can revel among royalty; with Charlene and Albert themselves leading the charge on the dancefloor as the Earth, Wind and Fire Experience, led by producer Al McKay, belted out the legendary disco band’s top hits.
With champagne flowing and spirits high, the event, as ever, was a firm success – with thousands raised for the charity Prince Albert holds so dear.
The Princess Grace Foundation continues the late Grace Kelly’s adoration for the arts and culture, having been a Hollywood icon herself.
Throughout France, the Foundation supports children in need through cultural projects and grants, including to young artists and students.
In 2023, the Foundation donated a total of €312,173 to 1,298 children in 63 paediatric hospitals throughout France.
As the party went on into the early hours, guests were invited to carry on the revelry in Monaco’s most exclusive club, Jimmy’z – which is conveniently just next door.
Monte Carlo is perhaps one of the only cities in the world where ballgowns and diamonds aren’t out of place in a nightclub; in fact, it’s somewhat encouraged – so thankfully the suited and booted ball guests were perfectly placed in Jimmy’z.
As high society partied into the wee hours of the morning, it was time for FEMAIL to head home to the stunning Hotel Hermitage.
A fellow attendee quipped: ‘The Hotel de Paris is where you go when you want to be seen, but the Hotel Hermitage is where you go when you want to be at home.’
Walking back into the tranquil lobby of the Hotel Hermitage at 3am where staff greeted me with warm smiles, it certainly felt like a home away from home and an extremely comfortable bed was calling.
Extravagance, indulgence and unfiltered fun with a sprinkling of royalty – the Bal de la Rose 2025 was a rip-roaring success.
The only complaint? Losing a whole hour of partying as the clocks jumped forward to mark European summer time – something even out of the Grimaldi dynasty’s hands!
