In champagne gold-colored Elie Saab with 1950s Hollywood diva waves, the princess pays homage to the timeless elegance of her famous mother-in-law.
At the 77th Monegasque Red Cross Ball, Charlène of Monaco brought the glamor of 1950s Hollywood back to Monte Carlo, appearing in a champagne gold dress that immediately evoked the elegance of Grace Kelly. Not a literal reproduction of one of her looks, but rather a quote constructed through color, silhouette and above all a hairstyle like a diva from times gone by.
Alongside Prince Albert II, Charlène wore a bespoke creation by Elie Saab, characterized by a long, fluid line, refined draping on the bust and an asymmetrical neckline that left the shoulders bare. The metallic fabric, crossed by light with every movement, recalled the sumptuous clothes of classic cinema without turning into an exercise in nostalgia. To complete the look, a Midnight Crystal clutch by Elie Saab and gold and diamond earrings by Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen.
A hairstyle that looks like it came out of a Hitchcock film
The most obvious reference to Grace Kelly was in her hair. Charlène’s blonde bob was styled in soft, smooth waves, with the tips curved inwards and a side lock capable of framing the face. A pageboy hairstyle that was reminiscent of the one worn by the future princess in the years in which she met Rainier III and which, together with the brightness of the dress, conveyed the image of a modern protagonist of the big screen.
An echo of could also be recognized in the look Catch the thiefthe Alfred Hitchcock film shot on the French Riviera in which Grace Kelly transformed draped dresses, metallic shades and luminous jewels into an aesthetic code destined to last over time. Charlène has taken up the atmosphere rather than the individual details, replacing the rigorous construction of the fifties with a more essential and contemporary sensuality.
Grace Kelly’s legacy at the Red Cross Ball
The choice took on a particular meaning on the occasion of the Red Cross Ball. Grace Kelly became president of the Monegasque organization in 1958 and helped transform the gala, born in 1948, into one of the most important charitable and social events in the Principality. Today Albert II is president, while Charlène holds the role of vice-president.
Furthermore, for the princess, the 2026 edition marked a personal anniversary: twenty years have passed since her first participation in the gala, which took place in 2006, when she was still Charlène Wittstock and her relationship with Alberto was just beginning to enter the public dimension. If he was then appearing on the Monegasque stage for the first time, today he masters its codes with a confidence that is now fully personal.
