Red Cross Ball, Monaco: 2005 - 2019, 2021 - 2024


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prince ernst's leg injury may cause whole family not show up so what do u think?

Prince ernst s leg injury may cause his whole family not show up or I may be wrong?!
 
I will repeat after BMC, where is Antoinette? I hope she's OK.
 
The last ball Princess Antoinette attended was the Red Cross
Ball 2006, she'll celebrate her 89th birthday in December, so
you can easily imagine that such an evening event is something
quite trying for such an old lady. So her absence is nothing new
and does not have to mean anything.

Besides that please do not speculate about reasons for the
absence of other family members, we just do not know it as
there never is any official announcement about attendances
or non-attendances.
 
It is a tad worrisome that Princess Caroline was not there (and I'm sure many photographers cried over the absence of Charlotte) to keep a regal eye on her younger siblings but I'm sure whatever kept her away was pressing. I thought Princess Stephanie looked great and her and Albert II always seem to light up whenever they are around each other. I think the theme was very nice, Gloria Estefan was great, and no it might not be what it used to be but I think that reflects on those who chose to stop coming rather than the Grimaldis. At the end of the day the "mission" of the ball was accomplished, money was raised for the Red Cross and no matter who or how high-profile were those who provided it, it will help alot of people around the world and God bless the Grimaldis for doing this every year. Everyone wins.
:monacoflag::monacostandard:
 
Here's another picture gallery from belga, including more
guests who attended, among them were Prince Alexander
von Schaumburg-Lippe and his wife Princess Nadja, I
can't remember having seen him at previous balls before:


** belga gallery 3 **
 
Great to see the Schaumburg-Lippes, and also Count and Countess Andrei Ananov and his two beautiful daughters!

Cristina Noghès is in charge of the Red Cross Ball - is she part of Antoinette's family?
There was also someone from the Knecht clan.....

I'm sad not to have seen Melanie.
 
Oh, Radker18, You have made my day whilst looking at the first published pics, you have sent. Seeing PA taking the arm of CW has made me happy. (am I now jumping to conclusions ??? .. hope not !) Thank you so much! Now, I am going to read a little further......
 
Hola has chosen one of the best pics from last night
for their article about the ball:

** El baile de Alberto de Mónaco y Charlene Wittstock **
("The ball of Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock")

** Hola gallery **

And here are some pics of the red/orange decoration of the
Sporting Club and the tables, the dress in pic 3 has been the
worst of all dresses of this year's ball in my eyes ;):D


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **
 
Stephanie's hair looks better with length, but she looks like an old leather boot. Too much sun does NOT pay off!!!
 
Iceflower and Queenofthelight ! I thank you for these photos of PA and CA. They radiate a positive feeling. They are looking happy and this makes me happy, too. It does give so much hope !
 
Any Video from last night ?
 
What a shame Caroline wasn't there!
Charlene and Stephanie looked great IMO, but Albert should do something about his weight, he looks huge in the white jacket...not healthy.
 
Princess Stephanie's Dress

I liked Princess Stephanie's dress. The print pattern looked like the flower bouquet that she was holding.
 
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I liked Princess Stephanie's dress. The print pattern looked like the flower bouquet that she was holding.

It used to be that way all the time. The florist was told what the royal was wearing and arranged the bouquet to compliment the dress. I think Stephanie looks very nice this year. I like her dress because it's light and airy, very summery. Unfortunately, I don't like Charlene in red. There are few people that can wear that shade of red and Charlene isn't one of them. I also have a problem with the way the bodice of the dress is fitted. It is way to tight and one's eye is drawn not to her face but to the obvious but then that's Charlene.
 
Wow, Ivana Trump looks old!! I realize she is no spring chicken but geez, those arms need some work, either start lifting weights or with all the money she has, spend less on her face and get some work done on those arms!! That is what ages her. she also needs to cut off alot of that hair, at a certain age in women,very long hair is very aging. Didn't she wear that same dress or a very similar one last year??? Sorry to be so critical of Ivana, but all the money she has, she can afford to look better than that!!!

I thought Stephanie and Charlene looked absolutely stunning!!! Charlene is starting to come into her own these past few yrs. I used to not like her but now I think she is growing on me. I am finding there aren't so many negative comments about her anymore like there used to be! I was dissapointed that Carloline was not there, she adds alot of charisma to the ball!!!
 
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It is a tad worrisome that Princess Caroline was not there (and I'm sure many photographers cried over the absence of Charlotte) to keep a regal eye on her younger siblings but I'm sure whatever kept her away was pressing. I thought Princess Stephanie looked great and her and Albert II always seem to light up whenever they are around each other. I think the theme was very nice, Gloria Estefan was great, and no it might not be what it used to be but I think that reflects on those who chose to stop coming rather than the Grimaldis. At the end of the day the "mission" of the ball was accomplished, money was raised for the Red Cross and no matter who or how high-profile were those who provided it, it will help alot of people around the world and God bless the Grimaldis for doing this every year. Everyone wins.
:monacoflag::monacostandard:
Indeed Pricess Caroline not attending is a shame because she always bring a touch of class at the event. I've noticed that Charlene's been offered a bouquet this time, usually not so maybe it's a step to the officialisation of her relationship with Prince Albert and Princess Caroline wanted to let Charlene be the star of this year(My own opinion though)
 
Charlene looked really nice and so did Stepanie. Ivana broke up with her husband a couple of months after the wedding. Ivana always dresses in gowns that are not great for her she also needs to stay out of the sun.
 
Indeed Pricess Caroline not attending is a shame because she always bring a touch of class at the event. I've noticed that Charlene's been offered a bouquet this time, usually not so maybe it's a step to the officialisation of her relationship with Prince Albert and Princess Caroline wanted to let Charlene be the star of this year(My own opinion though)

I wouldn't read too much into Charlene getting a bouquet. With Caroline absent and only Stephanie there it would have been rude not to have given Charlene a bouquet. Notice as mentioned above the arrangement was done to compliment Stephanie's dress.
 
I wouldn't read too much into Charlene getting a bouquet. With Caroline absent and only Stephanie there it would have been rude not to have given Charlene a bouquet. Notice as mentioned above the arrangement was done to compliment Stephanie's dress.

What about all the other RCB's wear the princesses's was offered bouquets and Charlene was not offered one. I don't think the Elisabeth (cousin) is offered a bouquet when she attends.
It alwas seemed to me that the princess consort or the princess of the blood recieves these honors:flowers:
 
What about all the other RCB's wear the princesses's was offered bouquets and Charlene was not offered one. I don't think the Elisabeth (cousin) is offered a bouquet when she attends.
It alwas seemed to me that the princess consort or the princess of the blood recieves these honors:flowers:

There were only two women by Albert's side last night for the photo op. Everyone else was MIA including the trio. Usually Charlene walks in with that group. Also there is a video of them arriving and Charlene is a least a step behind Albert and Stephanie. Elisabeth is pretty far down the "heir" list and is not presented as such. When Caroline attends Charlene does not walk in beside Albert. Caroline sticks to protocol.
 
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if you look when they were arriving (outside ) only Stephanie had flowers , Charlene I dont think got hers until they were inside It could be they were for Caroline since she was not their they gave them to Charlene
 
I don't know after looking at the photos and coverage, I get the feeling that last night's Red Cross Ball was just another Summer Gala in Monaco and not the Red Cross Ball...Caroline's abscense (and her family), the guests...

I recall in a previous Ball, don't remember the year or if it was a Red Cross or Rose Ball, but Elizabeth Ann did get a bouquet, when Antoinette attended she got hers too. I think the bouquet thing is not a hint or something relevant, it was just a sign of courtesy. The bouquets from the Red Cross Ball are usually almost the same every year.

Not going into speculation but if Caroline didn't attend to allow the spotlight to be on Charlene because of an upcoming event...well it was on Charlene this night but then again everyone and the press is talking about Caroline's abscense. Anyway I think this spotlight sharing is nonsense since they have attended many events together and have even been on private holidays (Salzburg, this summer vacation). They do have a good relationship whatever the press wants to make us think.
d
 
Please note: It has been said before, but: We do not know
why certain family members did not attend, it's the same old
question every time someone does not attend, and as there
are no official announcements about attendances, it's pure
speculation to think about certain reasons. Let us especially
not speculate about Princess Caroline's marriage.

Thanks for your understanding,

Iceflower
Monaco Forum Moderator
 
It's a shame Caroline or any of her children never attended.
I think Charlene looked wonderful.
I like the fact that Charlene recieved a bouquet, under whatever circumstances. :flowers:
 
I was fortunate to be in Monaco this week including yesterday on the day of the ball & a few things struck me. Firstly, the Monaco edition of the Nice Matin didn't do much in terms of any preview coverage of what is generally regarded to be the biggest social/ fund raising event of the year - just one short story featuring a boutique where ladies might purchase their attire for the evening. Yes, there was a picture on the front page this morning, but again rather limited coverage ( although I do accept this was only a few hours after the event had finished). The last few weeks the newspaper has contained ample coverage of other significant events/ celebrities appearing along the Riviera. Also, when I was walking through the Casino/Port areas during the day I just didnt get the sense that there were a lot of important people in town - very few large yachts (by Monaco standards) moored in the Port for example/ no massive flurry at the Hotel de Paris. I have been in Monaco on quite a few occasions previously on the day of the Ball, particularly in the late 80's, & I have always felt there was a buzz about the place, that this was a special day, but I just didn't get that this year. It was probably best summed up for me when I overheard a woman on her mobile standing near the terraces of the Casino telling someone:
"Tonight we're seeing Estefan, yeah here in Monaco I think." Perhaps it is wrong to yearn for the return of the "old days",but it's sad if the Red Cross Ball continues to decline in status & becomes just a "run of the mill" fund raising bash. I also echo the previous posts who regret the non appearance of Caroline, & hope this is a temporary absence. I agree that traditions like only the Senior members of the Royal Family being presented with a bouquet helps to preserve the occasion. However, for all my gripes I have to say the firework display at the end of the night still looked pretty impressive!
 
Charlene looked amazing

While missing Caroline, I think Charlene looked amazing. And wow - Gloria Estefan really looked wonderful. Overall I think the Red Cross ball didn't disappoint. I'm always glad to see Charlene take an increasingly visible role.

Examiner Story
 
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