Monaco’s royals were styled in interstellar splendour at the 70th 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.
