Hello Monaco #14 Spring 2022 | Page 55

MONACO TRADITIONS
© Palais Princier de Monaco
© Palais Princier de Monaco

The Rose Ball

It was Princess Grace herself who bestowed a special festive and luxury mood on an event which used to open the party season in the Principality beginning in 1954 . Every year , the iconic Princess was personally involved in organizing the event . Not surprisingly , a great number of roses , Grace Kelly ’ s favourites , have traditionally decorated its halls . After the creation of the Princess Grace Foundation in 1964 , the Rose Ball became not just a high society party , but a charity event . The collected funds have always been donated to the disadvantaged and needy : disabled or hospitalized children with serious medical conditions . In addition to auctions , tombolas and purchases of entrance tickets , the participants made donations that have helped a number of children in the course of the Rose Ball ’ s half a century history .
In 1954 , the artistic director of the Société des Bains de Mer , Henry Astric , made a daring proposal . Back in those days , fiery Latin American dances were more popular than anything else . However , he suggested adopting the traditional waltz as the main dance of the ball . �
© Palais Princier de Monaco
© Palais Princier de Monaco
H . R . H . Caroline , Princess of Hanover , and Karl Lagerfeld The Rose Ball , 2018
© Palais Princier de Monaco © Pierre VILLARD / Gaetan LUCI / Le Palais Princier / SBM
The princely family The Rose Ball , 2019
To highlight its romantic spirit , Henry Astric avoided lush and extravagant decorations , favouring roses and a string orchestra instead .
The Princely family has traditionally chosen its theme , inviting a designer or an artist to create stunning scenery . In the last years , until his death , Karl Lagerfeld was a constant designer of the Rose Ball decorations .
H . R . H . Caroline , Princess of Hanover , and H . S . H . Prince of Monaco Albert II The Rose Ball , 2019
© Palais Princier de Monaco
Usually the Rose Ball takes place at the end of March . In 2022 , it will be held on July 8 at the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo .
Hello Monaco Spring 2022 / 53 www . hellomonaco . com