Princess Charlene continues to bloom after more than a year away from the choir and it was not clear what exactly was happening to her. She returned to the principality and took up her secular commitments.
The former athlete and Prince Albert of Monaco were dressed in elegant clothes as if of distinction for the gala, steeped in family history.
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Photo: Getty Images
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After parading in several chic outfits since her return, Princess Charlene’s choice at this year’s Red Cross gala — the event that traditionally marks the end of Monaco’s social season — was nothing short of regal, People notes.
The mother of twins opted for a long Prada ice blue satin ball gown lightly embroidered with crystals in a floral motif. Keeping jewelery to a minimum, she completed her look with a Van Cleef and Arpels Flying Butterfly necklace.
For the second consecutive year since the coronavirus, Monaco’s most glamorous evening took place as an open-air charity concert organized as a garden party in Monte Carlo.
Alicia Keys – in a striking metallic Miu-Miu fitted bodysuit – took to the stage on Monday to sing in front of Princess Charlene, Prince Albert and 650 guests. The event marked Keys’ second major ‘royal’ engagement of the summer – she also attended Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last month.
The event in Monaco began in August 1948, with Albert’s father, Prince Rainier, setting the tone. Socialites in formal dress gather to dance to the music of an orchestra and entertainers of the rank of Maurice Chevalier. The subsequent editions can be called “eclectically organized”, with one summer guests are entertained by a Christian Dior fashion show, and the next – French ballet star Zisy Jeanmer shows off her prowess.
These were nights meant for staring at other people’s jewelry, say insiders.
However, Princess Grace made the event her own and under her patronage the gala took on an international character. “Quite soon after their wedding,” Prince Albert explained to People in 2018. “In 1958, Mom took it over and it became something else.”
Using her contacts, American actress-turned-royalty Grace built the event, infusing it with Hollywood names, Parisian designers and mainstream celebrities. Under Grace’s expert guidance, the gala became an “impossible ticket” featuring artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. It creates what writer Geoffrey Robinson calls “the biggest social event on the European calendar”.
“I remember watching mum and dad get ready for this when we were kids”commented Prince Albert.
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