Rose Ball, Monaco: 2005 - 2024

[Florestane]

Actually, Charlene has never missed a Rose Ball after her wedding; she skipped both last year as well as the current ball though

It's also not true that Caroline never attends the Red Cross Gala.

 

[fandesacs2003]

My comments
Charlene: Unacceptable absence, unless something really serious happened. If I remember well last year she was not there either.
Caroline. OK nice
Béatrice: Gorgeous, stunning
Tatiana: very nice also
Alexandra: nice dress, except that black belt. And I do not understand this pregnancy style for such a young girl
Charlotte: I'm speechless. I could not imagine that could exist such an ugly outfit. Shapeless, cheep looking, not suitable for her body, needs ironing and showing her like with a baby bump. Awful. From all the expensive gowns in the world she could choose, with her beauty and her money, she choose this. OMG

 

[Florestane]

She is no Sovereign Princess but just the wife of.
She has no institutional obligations except just being the wife of.
The Bal de la Rose is no institutional obligation. It is a fundraising event for the foundation of which Princess Caroline is the organizator. Therefore she is the Dame d'Honneur and her family is attending. It is just a party, no ceremony of state...

And yet all the other "wives of" in various royal families manage to turn up to the parties that their spouses attend. As did Princess Grace in her day.

I'm curious as to what Charlene considers her duties to be.

And yes, I know the Grimaldis aren't "royal"so you don't need to point it out to me...

 

[Prisma]

Fun event. I wish Princess Stephanie and her family would attend this gala someday (or in Stephanie’s case, reappear).

Princess Caroline and Beatrice Borromeo were best dressed for me despite quibbles: loose top on Caroline (yes, I know that's the design... I still prefer a fitted top) and too much ruffles on Beatrice. Everyone else was eccentric or stuck to their usual style.
The Duchess of Castro's floral dress fit the Cuban theme nicely.

Does the Princely family have an agenda/calendar page? I don't follow Monaco's royals much. Maybe Princess Charlene was not expected this year?

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

And yet all the other "wives of" in various royal families manage to turn up to the parties that their spouses attend. As did Princess Grace in her day.

I'm curious as to what Charlene considers her duties to be.

And yes, I know the Grimaldis aren't "royal"so you don't need to point it out to me...

It was logical that Princess Grace did attend as the revenues went to the foundation which was set up in her honour and was/is bearing her very own name.

The event is organized by the Fondation Princesse Grace and the president is HRH The Princess of Hannover, whom indeed was the charming host as always.

 

[Florestane]

It was logical that Princess Grace did attend as the revenues went to the foundation which was set up in her honour and was/is bearing her very own name.

The event is organized by the Fondation Princesse Grace and the president is HRH The Princess of Hannover, whom indeed was the charming host as always.

Well, as the Rose Ball started in 1954 and the Princess Grace Foundation some 10 years later I don't think that's the only reason Grace went.

If it's only Caroline's thing I don't know why Albert bothers to show up then, and yet there he is, year in, year out.

Still find it odd that Charlene seems to put in about one public appearance every 3 months or so.

In essence it IS a small and meaningless affair. It is a bal. A dance event. And rich foreigners have to pay fees to attend, the revenues go to a charity. No more, no less. Every day there is a fundraising event somewhere in London. The Queen never attends. Boohoo to her too, then?

The big affairs are the Fête Nationale, Sainte-Devote, Christmas, the Laureus Awards, the Grand Prix de Monaco, the Diamond League, international congresses and symposia in Monte-Carlo, not an evening of dance and drinking champagne in a club. Come on...

Raising money for charity is not meaningless.

It's not small in Monaco - it IS a highlight of the social calendar.

Your comparison of the Queen not attending the many fundraising events in London with the Prince's Consort not turning up to one of the big fundraising events of the year in Monaco is ridiculous and not the same at all. Not least because she's pushing 90 and does more than a 38 year old.

That must be where Charlene has been these last few weeks - all those deeply meaningful and highly important conferences and symposia.

 

[GömdNatt]

wow, I had no idea people were so....whatever about Charlene.

Interesting.

As for the gowns, I only like Beatrice's, but the train is a bit much for my taste. But I'm just a nobody.

 

[christinacg]

Beatrice looks spectacular!

Caroline looks great. I think she's aging gracefully and I like her dress.

Andrea and Pierre look so dashing and handsome.

Great to see Alexandra there this year! She's so grown up and beautiful.

Love Charlotte to death but disappointed with her dress or whatever it is (is the bottom actually pants?) And I don't know if it's her posture, the outfit, or something else, but she seems to have a little belly. I hope it's not "something else".

Tatiana's dress is meh but she looks beautiful as always.

Im not bothered at all by Charlene's absence. I've always viewed this event as Caroline and her family's event and they are who I look forward to seeing.

Can't wait to see photos from inside. There's usually fun photos of them dancing and having a good time.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community

 

[Curryong]

I can't say how much I love Beatrice's dress, the vibrant red, lovely train. Spectacular! It would have been nice if Charlene had attended as I would have been interested in her gown, but it's not a disaster that she decided not to. Money was raised for charity, Caroline and her family were there and everyone had a good time. There's always next year!

 

[TLLK]

^^^A truly stunning ball gown for tonight's event! Beatrice was truly the belle of the ball this evening.

 

[Soula]

If before, I was unsure, I think now it's pretty clear that Charlene is avoiding Caroline. Something must have happened ...

I adore Beatrice's dress. she was "wow" as was her husband.
I think Charlotte should stop wearing Chanel, this dress (is it a dress?) must be very expensive but is just horrendous.

I agree about Charlene avoiding Caroline
Charlene wasn't at Andrea and Tatiana's religious wedding and I don't think she was in the balcony picture next to Albert at Pierre and Beatrice's wedding at the palace in Monaco

 

[King of the Jungle]

It's nice that Caroline still has some events where she is the royal hostess.
The Rose Ball is an appropriate occasion where Albert accompanies his sister some years.
Stephanie and her children gave it a miss too. Where were they?

 

[iceflower]

Stephanie's children haven't attended any of the two balls (Rose/Red Cross Ball) yet.

Stephanie sometimes attends, sometimes she doesn't, and if so it's mostly been the Red Cross Ball in summer she attended in recent years.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

On this forum and in the boulevard press the Bal de la Rose is blown up out of all proportions. Why? Because it is (was?) a glamorous event in a mondaine resort at the sunny French Rivièra. That is all. They want to see how royals or celebs look like. What the ball is for, what the foundation does, it is all of no importance. It is spotting dresses, jewels and giving comments on how ladies and gentlemen look. That is a very nice hobby and we all do it. But almost to "demand" that someone MUST attend because he/she has this/that position....

This is a ball. You know: saying hello to total strangers, sitting around a table with a number, having the occasional sun-tanned, white-plastic-teethed and botoxed money-giver lauded, hail him, hail her, our modern Mother Theresas.... and then we go dance! Oh yes, do not forget to donate some big bucks for our little sweeties in difficult circumstances. That is all. When the Princess prefers to spend the evening elsewhere, for an example with her two kids, then that is a legitime choice.

I agree about Charlene avoiding Caroline
Charlene wasn't at Andrea and Tatiana's religious wedding and I don't think she was in the balcony picture next to Albert at Pierre and Beatrice's wedding at the palace in Monaco

That was a very sensible thing to do from Charlène. She is nothing to Pierre and Beatrice. She is just the lady who happens to be married to their mother's brother. It was logical the Princess kept a low profile. She connects to Pierre like Timothy Lawrence connects to Prince William. Think about that. And once again: this was a wedding of two private citizens, one by coincidence having a prestigious mother. For the rest they play no any role in monegasque affairs and it was no State Event either.

 

[MarikaRF]

I had quite high expectations but I had to dissapoint!
Charlotte's dress/pantsuit looks awful - bland color, material gets easily wrinkled, its shapeless and make her body look flat. I'd say very bad ad for Chanel. Those shoes look ugly as well. Like her hairdo.
Beatrice would have been my favorite with that red ball gown but I think she looks a little too showy with her voluminous dress (compared to other ladies). And her hair look inexcusably messy and unkept with that gown! Like her necklace.
Its so good to see Alexandra attending, she has become very lovely young lady. Like her dress but what is the meaning of that black ribbon/belt under her armpits???
Caroline looks beautiful and this dress style suits her perfectly.

 

[Lee-Z]

She is no Sovereign Princess but just the wife of.
She has no institutional obligations except just being the wife of.
......

In essence it IS a small and meaningless affair. It is a bal. A dance event. And rich foreigners have to pay fees to attend, the revenues go to a charity. No more, no less. Every day there is a fundraising event somewhere in London. The Queen never attends. Boohoo to her too, then?

Apparently this Rose Ball *was* important enough for the sovereign, P.Albert, to attend...When QEII attends an event like this usually P.Philip does too; when K.W-A attends a gala Q.Maxima attends too; when K.Philip attends, so does Q.Mathilde...(to copy your style of posting )

That said, it's no use comparing royals; imo P.Albert and P.Charlene live their life the way suits them, and P.Caroline is an absolute Pro at these sort of events so it's a situation that works best for them as it is
just my 2cts ofcourse...

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

But... King Willem-Alexander often has separate engagements. Queen Máxima often has separate engagements. Going to openings, theatre, ballet, concerts, diners, just "alone" (there is a whole fleet of people around them).

When Philippe or Camilla or Frederik appear alone, no one asks: "Hey... where was Mathilde / Charles / Mary??!!!!" When Prince Alberts appears alone, it is immediately a crisis in Monaco or something...

 

[Florestane]

Nobody said anything about a crisis, I certainly didn't and I didn't say the Rose Ball was about saving the world.

I said I find it odd that the Sovereign's consort is so often absent.

I also find it extremely odd that she skipped out on so many of Albert's family's events like weddings.

But it's just my perception - I certainly don't have the impression that Albert is bothered. I think the way they arrange things between themselves suits them.

Like I said, it's my perception - they can do what they want.

It all looked fine, they looked like they were enjoying themselves, I liked looking at the clothes (so would have liked to see Charlene there for that reason alone) and money was raised for charity - the latter being completely meaningless, of course.

 

[fandesacs2003]

I do not think that other royals appear single in a Saturday night event on their place. I never saw Mary or Maxima alone in this kind of events. When a couple, even not a royal are married, they share family bonds and appear together, at least at weddings or funerals. Charlene abstaining from escorting her husband in yesterday ball or in his nefew wedding, with only explanation what they do not have blood bonds, it ubnormal for any married couple

 

[azure]

Wow, it is just like they made a competition, who is going to have the worse look!
Char's belly again...

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I do not think that other royals appear single in a Saturday night event on their place. [...]

It was not "on their place". The ball was held in the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Club de Monaco.

And yes... various royals have appeared all alone at events without hubby:

alone

alone

alone

alone

alone

alone

alone

 

[Florestane]

I do not think that other royals appear single in a Saturday night event on their place. I never saw Mary or Maxima alone in this kind of events. When a couple, even not a royal are married, they share family bonds and appear together, at least at weddings or funerals. Charlene abstaining from escorting her husband in yesterday ball or in his nefew wedding, with only explanation what they do not have blood bonds, it ubnormal for any married couple

I think we all have taken our positions on this fandesacs2003 and I agree with you, it's just strange. However, some people perceive it as normal - we're never going to persuade each to a different point of view!

On another note I've seen some little videos on Instagram and Alexandra took off her coat and was dancing. Her dress was quite different, quite conventional and she looks lovely.

 

[Soula]

That was a very sensible thing to do from Charlène. She is nothing to Pierre and Beatrice. She is just the lady who happens to be married to their mother's brother. It was logical the Princess kept a low profile. She connects to Pierre like Timothy Lawrence connects to Prince William. Think about that. And once again: this was a wedding of two private citizens, one by coincidence having a prestigious mother. For the rest they play no any role in monegasque affairs and it was no State Event either.

Perhaps, but personally I would expect my uncle and his wife to attend my wedding (and Timothy Lawrence was at Prince William's wedding).

 

[Florestane]

It was not "on their place". The ball was held in the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Club de Monaco.

And yes... various royals have appeared all alone at events without hubby:

alone

alone

alone

alone

alone

alone

alone

That must have taken you some time. Sorry, I still don't feel you have proven your point.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Perhaps, but personally I would expect my uncle and his wife to attend my wedding (and Timothy Lawrence was at Prince William's wedding).

Prince Albert and Princess Charlène did attend the wedding of Pierre Casiraghi and Donna Beatrice Borromeo in the Palais Princier. On the same evening she appeared at the Bal de la Croix Rouge monégasque.

That must have taken you some time. Sorry, I still don't feel you have proven your point.

No, it did not took that much time. The point was that all these royals appear on events without spouse, and no fuss is made about that. When Prince Albert appears without Charlène, immediately a drama is made out of it. That was the point.

 

[Florestane]

No, it did not took that much time. The point was that all these royals appear on events without spouse, and no fuss is made about that. When Prince Albert appears without Charlène, immediately a drama is made out of it. That was the point.

No, it's not a drama - it's just several posters don't have the same opinion as you.

We happen to think the Rose Ball is a social high point in Monaco so the Sovereign Prince's consort could legitimately be expected to attend.

You think it's not a major event so it isn't a big deal.

Do I think there's a crisis in Monaco or that the world has stopped turning? No. Just bizarre... She used to attend - but then so did Stephanie. Things change. We'll get over it. ?

 

[Soula]

Prince Albert and Princess Charlène did attend the wedding of Pierre Casiraghi and Donna Beatrice Borromeo in the Palais Princier. On the same evening she appeared at the Bal de la Croix Rouge monégasque.

She wasn't in the balcony picture, well not in any I could find, Albert was standing next to Caroline I think

 

[Kit]

Well Charlotte looks as if she were pregnant again. And pity that Charlene didn't attend but wasn't Alexandra already at a Rose Ball?? I don't remember if it was last year or 2 years ago but I clearly remember the photos of her dancing with her brothers and wearing a pink Chanel dress with ruffles. She didn't pose for official pictures though.

 

[Florestane]

Well Charlotte looks as if she were pregnant again. And pity that Charlene didn't attend but wasn't Alexandra already at a Rose Ball?? I don't remember if it was last year or 2 years ago but I clearly remember the photos of her dancing with her brothers and wearing a pink Chanel dress with ruffles. She didn't pose for official pictures though.

Yes, you're right - I think she came along to see Lily Allen perform after the "boring" bit. Wasn't the dress short?

 

[Kit]

Yes it was last year. You can find the pictures in last year's thread. Very nice pink dress.