Monaco’s Rose Ball goes galactic as it celebrates 70 years of splendour

Monaco’s royals were styled in interstellar splendour at the
70^th edition of the Rose Ball, one of Monte Carlo’s most
glittering galas.

On Saturday
Evening, the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo venue
was transformed into the Galaxy Rose Ball, under the creative
direction of Princess Caroline, Christian Louboutin, and Benoit
Miniou. The Prince’s Palace called the
evening one of “luminous lights and cosmic
atmosphere.”

The red carpet was replaced by a silver corridor resembling the
entrance of a spaceship, and a plaque on the wall explained
that the theme was inspired by “The Celestial Roses Project, at
its heart sending the rose of Princess Grace into orbit both as a
tribute and a true scientific mission” and called the Rose
ball “a celebration suspended between science and
entertainment.”

In an exclusive interview with
Nice Matin, Louboutin, the Rose Ball’s creative
director for the past five years, revealed that Princess Caroline
came up with the idea for a galaxy-themed gala after talking with
Miniou about a space experiment involving plants.

It was, said Louboutin, an “experiment of wanting to send a
rose into space. It’s both very touching and very inspiring.
Perhaps it could be a message of peace, a symbol of some kind of
hope.”

From there, Princess Caroline and the celebrated shoe designer
were inspired by aurora borealis and the way lights resemble roses
and flowers. “From this came the idea of viewing light through
this lens.”

The Salle des Étoiles was transformed into a silver space
shuttle and featured colour-changing portholes that reflected the
colour of various planets throughout the evening. Guests adhered to
a silver and grey dress code to also reflect the theme.

Princess Charlene wore a sparkling one shoulder Elie Saab gown
with her hair styled to resemble a rose and earrings to match the
floral theme. Princess Caroline was dressed in Chanel.

Among the performers were Rondò Veneziano, dancers from the
Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris, ballet dancers from the Ballet
Kalinka, Dulce Compania, Lee John and Imagination, and DJ Josh
Quinton. Their performances paid tribute to the galactic theme
through lighting, visual projections and stage effects.

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and Princess Caroline were
joined by a special guest, Princess Akiko of Japan, who was in
Monaco to celebrate a cultural exchange between the principality
and the Asian country and to attend matches at the Holy Devotees
rugby tournament.

Two of Princess Caroline’s children, Princess Alexandra of
Hanover and her partner Ben Sylvester Strautmann and Pierre and
Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi joined the family for the gala.
Princess Alexandra’s icy blue Prada gown evoked memories of her
late grandmother, Princess Grace, who wore a similar style in
To Catch a Thief.

Other royals in attendance included Prince Charles and Princess
Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies and Princess Dorothée D’Arenberg;
while Lady Kitty Spencer, niece of Diana, Princess of Wales,
arrived in Dolce & Gabbana.

The Rose Ball has been an annual event in Monaco for 70 years
and added its charitable element in 1964, when Princess Grace
became more closely involved and directed its funds to her
eponymous foundation.

Following Princess Grace’s death in 1982, Princess Caroline took
over both the foundation and the presidency of the Rose Ball and
has arranged every gala since. Prince Albert serves as patron of
both.

Christian Louboutin took over creative director duties of the
Rose Ball following the death of
Karl Lagerfeld, who was Princess Caroline’s close friend and
who’d overseen the gala for 20 years between 1999 and 2019.
Beginning in the 1970s, each gala had its own theme and dress
code.

Previous themes include 2025’s
Sunset Ball, 2024’s Disco Ball, 2023’s Bollywood, 2022’s

1920s celebration, 2019’s
Riviera, 2012’s Swinging London, 2011’s Mo-naco (inspired by
Motown), and 1999’s Jubilee, in honour of Prince Rainier’s Golden
Jubilee.