Monaco‘s most popular evening will celebrate its 70th edition, this Saturday, March 21, in the Monte-Carlo Sporting star room. Over the decades, the Rose Ball has become an unmissable date on the social calendar.
1954 – The first edition
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Having ascended the throne five years earlier, the young Rainier III wants to offer an unforgettable evening to his subjects. He entrusted its organization to the Société de Bains de Mer, the jewel of the Rock, and the artistic direction to Henry Astric, who promised him roses and a hundred violins. A success, even if, during the first editions, the notoriety of the event did not extend beyond the borders of the principality… which “are only flowers” as Colette said. It is then rumored that a marriage of the sovereign – if possible with a celebrity – would help Monaco’s influence internationally.
1964 – Grace or the revival of the ball
In 1956, Rainier married Grace, a Hollywood actress and Hitchcockian muse, who naturally had a taste for directing. She therefore transforms the Rose Ball into a grand spectacle, supported by decorator André Levasseur. It associates each edition with a different theme, represented by a flower, a color and a country. This evening, which opens spring and the social season on the Rock, attracts celebrities, even American ones. We meet Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner and even James Steward, Grace’s former partner in “Rear Window”.
From 1964, the Rose Ball became a charity evening, to raise funds for the Princess Grace Foundation, created a year earlier, which helps hospitalized children. You must then pay 1 500 francs to attend this dinner.
1983 – Caroline, new prom queen
Six months after the tragic disappearance of Grace, the show continues in Monaco. The Rose Ball took place in March 1983. Rainier still appeared sad and emaciated, with, on his arm, Princess Stéphanie, 18, who was making her first outing since the accident which cost the life of his mother and sent him to the hospital for many days.
Caroline, for her part, looks superb in an ivory strapless dress by Nina Ricci. Despite the grief, she assumes her new role: she takes over from her late mother as president of the ball. The following year, she made a more than notable appearance there, newly married – with Stefano Casiraghi – and pregnant with her first child.
1999 – Lagerfeld’s tribute to Rainier
That year, Caroline entrusted the artistic direction of the evening to her friend Karl Lagerfeld for the first time. Called “Jubilee”, this edition is a tribute to the 50 years of reign of Prince Rainier III, then aged 75. More than 500 guests will attend. The designer will oversee each edition of the ball, until his disappearance in 2019.
2008 – Charlène on the dancefloor
Their engagement has not yet been announced but Albert invites the woman who is presented as his sweet friend to this highly publicized event. Another officialization. Night owl, Charlène sets the mood on the dance floor, under the amused gaze of a special guest, Pedro Almodovar. The following year, with a wedding looming, Charlène reappears transformed, rock’n’roll hairstyle and low-cut dress. Enough to make your mark and no longer be continually compared to Grace Kelly.
2012 – Charlotte Casiraghi and Gad Elmaleh appear
The Rose Ball is the showcase of the Grimaldi’s life. We take advantage of this moment which brings society journalists from Europe to announce the happy news or make it official. In 2013, Charlotte Casigrahi, Caroline’s daughter, invited her companion, comedian Gad Elmaleh, and introduced him to her uncle, Albert. That evening, the two lovers do not take their eyes off each other. Nine months later, they will have a baby: Raphaël.
2022 – A big return after two years of absence
Nothing had ever stopped the Rose Ball from taking place… until the coronavirus pandemic hit. The 2020 and 2021 editions will therefore be cancelled. The ball will resume with a vengeance in 2022, exceptionally in July rather than March. With Karl Lagerfeld gone, another couturier took over the artistic direction of the evening: Christian Louboutin. The famous shoemaker lacks neither chic nor fantasy. To match the theme of the Roaring Twenties, the Hall of Stars was transformed into a real cabaret, with, as the highlight of the show, a performance by burlesque artist Dita Von Teese. Unforgettable.
