Glittering Stars Align at Monaco’s Rose Ball: Princess Charlene Shines in Silver as F1 Champion Charles Leclerc & New Bride Make Romantic Debut ✨

As the first glimmers of spring appear on the Cote d’Azur following a long winter, one annual event signals the official beginning of high society party season.

The Bal de la Rose (Rose Ball), hosted annually by Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline of Hanover, is one of Monte-Carlo’s most anticipated events.

As the gala marked its 70th year, the Daily Mail was offered an exclusive invitation to the hottest party on the French Riviera on Saturday night, courtesy of the Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

The Ball, held to raise funds for the Princess Grace Foundation (named after Hollywood starlet Grace Kelly, the late mother of Prince Albert and Princess Caroline), was held once again at the Salle des Etoiles – though its more than 800 guests could be forgiven for thinking they had instead been teleported out-of-this-world.

The principality’s go-to venue, owned by Monte Carlo SBM, was transformed into a galactical utopia by the Ball’s creative director (and close friend of Princess Caroline), designer Christian Louboutin, in line with this year’s theme, ‘Galaxy Rose Ball’.

But the evening began in the heart of Monte-Carlo, at the Bar Américain in the esteemed Hotel de Paris.

The art-deco bar, reminiscent of a Roaring Twenties speakeasy, buzzed with excited attendees of the Bal de la Rose who were gathering ahead of the event to enjoy a tipple.

And the outfits certainly didn’t disappoint – with glamorous revellers donning themed gowns featuring galactical trains, celestial prints and even a metallic bodice to dance the night away.

But most dazzling of all was the Monegasque Royal Family – with Princess Charlene donning a dazzling, floor-length Elie Saab gown encrusted with gems.

Wearing her cropped blonde hair in waves, the Princess, flanked by her suited-and-booted husband Prince Albert, was gifted a posy of white roses upon arrival.

Meanwhile Princess Caroline opted for a classic Chanel polka dot number, accessorised with a silver sequin blazer.

As VIP guests arrived, Formula One ace Charles Leclerc and his new wife, Alexandra Saint Mleux, made their debut as newlyweds – with Alexandra donning a lilac satin gown with rose appliqué detailing, while Charles, beaming with pride to have his wife on his arm, looked sharp in a tuxedo.

Sporting Monte-Carlo’s Salle des Etoiles was lit up with an impressive laser show, which created the illusion of a rocket ship hurtling through space – lightyears away from the French Riviera.

Rather than a colour scheme, the event space was kitted out with futuristic metallics. Tables were adorned with silver, while a touch of foliage was added with simple yet stunning white roses.

The exclusive event, for which a ticket costs €1,800, provided its guests with the finest food and entertainment.

To start, guests dined on sweet white asparagus accompanies by caviar, king crab, spring peas and a bisque sauce, followed by turbot, spring vegetables and hollandaise sauce.

For the main course, guinea fowl pithivier was served with a porto wine sauce. But the dessert, put together by Chef Cedric Grolet, was the star of the evening’s food.

Mr Grolet, a pastry chef famed for his stunning patisserie items featuring gels, tempered chocolate and mousses, plus perfectly laminated croissants, partnered with SBM last year – and has now opened a cafe at Hotel de Paris where guests can dine on his incredible creations.

A chocolate mousse and delice encompassed in tempered chocolate shaped delicately as a rose finished dinner off on a stunning sweet note.

And, at a venue that has previously hosted performers including Sir Elton John and Tina Turner since it was founded in 1974, no fewer than seven artists performed at this year’s Bal de la Rose.

While the gala is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the crown of Monte-Carlo’s social scene, there is a heartfelt cause beneath the glitz and glamour of the evening.

The Princess Grace Foundation, founded in 1464 by the late Hollywood starlet and Monaco royal Grace Kelly, carries out charity work in both humanitarian causes and the arts to carry on her legacy.

The Foundation primarily supports children in hospital and their families, providing top-of-the-range medical equipment and funding research into diseases which affect children. Additionally, the charity’s cultural work provides support to young performing artists starting out in their careers.

The evening saw a charity raffle held in honour of the Foundation, where lavish prizes including a Dior tote bag, a stay in SBM’s Hotel de Paris and an 18-carat diamond Chanel necklace were won by lucky ticket holders.

And, with the core principles of Princess Grace’s memory in mind, music, dance and theatre were celebrated through the impressive line-up of performers throughout the evening who took guests on a tour of the world.

The Ball was opened by a stunning Venetian Baroque performance from the Rondò Veneziano group, followed by Parisian Cabaret group Crazy Horse.

Guests were later treated to a moving ballet performance from Russian dance troupe, the Moiseyev Ensemble; before a Berlin-based group, Dulce Compania, defied gravity in a performance on stilts.

In line with the galactical theme, choreographers Cain and Celine Kitsaïs lit up the cosmos with a stunning interpretive performance.

Finally, Leee John represented the UK’s funk, soul and jazz scene as he and his band Imagination brought the house down with their tunes.

The evening was brought to a close by DJ Josh Quinton who kept the party going until the wee hours of the morning on the Cote d’Azur.

With full stomachs, tired eyes and a Christian Louboutin-themed gift in tow, carriages brought guests safely home to the Hotel de Paris, where the fun began hours earlier.

The friendly, attentive staff at the Bar Américain were on hand to welcome revellers back with warming digestifs.

A smoky, sweet and rich old fashioned capped off a stunning evening celebrating art and culture – and welcoming warm evenings back to Monte-Carlo for another year.