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Red Cross Ball Makes for a Starry Night in Monaco
11 AUGUST 2003
The Monegasque royal family welcomed the cream of European society to Monte Carlo on Saturday for the 2003 Red Cross Ball.
Prince Rainier and his children mingled with former 007 star Roger Moore and iconic French actress Catherine Deneuve as a "who's who" of society figures turned out for the annual fundraiser.
One of the highlights of the evening came when Dame Shirley Bassey sang Diamonds Are Forever for the crowd. Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley was also on the bill of entertainment, coming out of retirement to wow the crowd with his fancy footwork.
"I have never seen so much money in one room in my life," said one guest. "It was a spectacular event. Everyone was wearing the finest designer clothes and the jewellery almost blinded me."
The ever-glamorous Princess Stephanie was notable by her absence, however. She is with her children in Lucerne, Switzerland, where her current love, the Portuguese acrobat Adans Lopez Peres, is performing with a circus.
But that couldn't stop the throng of glittering guests from enjoying an evening to remember. One of the world's most prestigious parties, the ball is held annually at the luxurious Salle des Étoiles of the Monaco Sporting Club. Over 1,000 guests pay more than $1,000 each to attend the gathering, which is hailed as Europe's largest charity event.
www.rexfeatures.com - THE RED CROSS BALL, MONTE CARLO, MONACO - 08 AUG 2003