Princess Charlene and Prince Albert Attend The Red Cross Ball To Mark A Significant Milestone

Princess Charlene of Monaco cut a glamorous figure in a shimmery attire as she joined her husband, Prince Albert II, at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo, Monday night. 

She dazzled in a shimmering Prada ice blue gown with silver details, paired with a pair of Versace metallic footwear. 

She accessorized her floral glimmering dress with a silver butterfly necklace and metallic bracelet. Her shining look was enhanced by her platinum blonde pixie hair.

Princess Charlene at the Red Cross Ball 2022 
©AFP/Getty Images

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene ©AFP/Getty Images

Prince Albert looked dapper in a navy blazer, red tie, and white pants, and displayed a loving gesture as he put his hand around his wife's waist as they posed for pictures on the red carpet.

Their Serene Highnesses were joined by the Sovereign Prince’s niece, Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. The 24-year-old wore a dramatic black and gold outfit with a sheer skirt overlay. Camille is the Head of the Youth Section of the Mobegasque Red Cross.

Camilla Gottlieb, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene © Eric Mathon

With Alicia Keys ©Eric Mathon

The event was held at the Terraces of the Soleil, and guests enjoyed the dinner cocktail, which was followed by the traditional raffle, and highlighted by the performance of Alicia Keys at the Casino Square.

This year's Red Cross Ball in Monaco marks a significant milestone for the Sovereign Prince as he celebrated his 40th year as Monaco's Red Cross honorary president since 1982 following the death of his mother, Princess Grace.

It was also Princess Charlene's first official gala as the organization's honorary Vice President, an appointment made in September 2021 while she was still in South Africa recuperating from an ear infection.

©Eric Mathon/The Prince's Palace

Princess Charlene's appearance on the fashion stage of the Red Cross Gala came days after she missed the Rose Ball, Monaco's highly anticipated social and charity event of the year, where members of the House of Grimaldi regularly made appearances. 

Her continued absence from the Rose Ball event intrigued royal fans as it is the highlight of the House of Grimaldi's royal calendar of the year, and the Principality's biggest fundraising event. 

Rose Ball is organized annually to raise funds for the Princess Grace Foundation. It was founded by Princess Grace, Prince Albert II's mother, in 1954, to support the underprivileged people and children in need in the Principality.

Interestingly, Princess Charlene has not attended the Rose Ball since 2014, three years after she married Prince Albert II in 2011. The Rose Ball is still headed by her sister-in-law, Princess Caroline of Hanover.

©AFP/Getty Images

Just like Rose Ball, the Red Cross Ball in Monte Carlo is Monaco's social and charity event. It was launched in 1948 when Prince Albert II's father, Prince Rainier III of Monaco presided at the first gala held by the newly founded Monaco Red Cross. 

However, it achieved international status when Princess Grace took it under her patronage in 1958. She also became the Red Cross president in Monaco until his sudden death from a car accident in 1982.

Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace in 1958.©Getty Images

Prince Albert II, who took over the position following his mother's death, revealed in an interview in 2018: "In 1958, Mom took it on, and then, it became something else." 

"Mom remained president until her passing, and I've been privileged to head the Monaco Red Cross since then," Prince Albert revealed. He celebrated his 40th anniversary this year as Monaco's Red Cross President.

©AFP/Getty Images

After taking a series of solo engagements this July, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were reunited to welcome guests from the Van Cleef and Arpels House for a cocktail at the Prince's Palace Gardens.

The Sovereign Prince Couple and their twins at the conclusion of their Sailing Summer Camp

They also stepped out in full force to support their twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, as the kids received their completion certificates from a sailing summer camp.

Their Serene Highnesses just celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on July 1, 2022. The Prince's Palace of Monaco marked the celebration by releasing  a new portrait of the couple.