[Sg1fan]

It is as possible that she will not attend the ball this year. The doctors at the Austrian clinic have said in interviews with the foreign press, the French press, etc during a news conference that Ernst August will NOT be leaving the hospital for a few days because he needs to recuperate and "rest."

The Monaco Ball, while invariably important to the social scene in Monaco, can and will run just fine without HRH's attendance as Albert will be there with Antoinette and others. Albert is, after all, Caroline's Sovereign and the true leader of the 'clan' and Monaco. He is also the co-head of the event and as active in the leadership and activities of the Princess Grace Foundation and the Rose Ball as the Princess is. I think they see it more of a partnership and less of a "looking up" to anyone.

Perhaps others disagree - I feel it's better, without any announcement from the Palace or Caroline's Office, to say we don't know if HRH will attend. Her husband has been injured seriously enough to need emergency surgery followed by days of hospitalization. If it's that serious, I can see a scenario where the Princess would bow out.

I'm not saying she will not attend - but that it remains a possibility. Until there is an announcement or photo from the actual event I think it's prudent to not make emphatic statements that she "will" or "will not" attend. I guess I feel there is a responsibility to be as accurate as possible because thousands of people read these forums every day and someone might think what they read on one single posts is absolute truth.

As of tonight, there has been no official announcement as to the Princess's schedule and therefore she may or may not attend. The only person we know of for sure that will NOT be attending is The Prince of Hanover, who according to his doctor's interview this afternoon will still be in the hospital preparing for physical therapy.