The Red Cross ball is one of the most important social events of the year in the Principality of Monaco, and indeed the whole of the Côte d’Azur. On Friday 1st August, high society will meet for the 60th time in the Salle des Etoiles in the Monte-Carlo Sporting d'Eté.

The jubilee anniversary of the gala is set to be a memorable event. The dinner will take place in the garden in the open air and for the first time, the guests will stand for the annual concert, featuring Robin Gibb, Eddie Floyd and Louis Bertignac. Harley Davidson motorbikes and Gibson guitars round off the rock theme. The Red Cross will also show a film documenting their work over the last 60 years.

Apart from the question of which VIPs will go to the Gala, people will also want to see if Prince Albert II will bring his girlfriend Charlene Wittstock. For the last two years, the South African swimmer has accompanied him to the event.

In the raffle this year, there is a wonderful ‘Heart Jewel Set’ to be won. The valuable donation from the Repossi Jewellers consists of a necklace, a bracelet and earrings in white gold and gemstones. The proceeds will be used to fund international and Monegasque projects.

Patron of the event is Prince Albert II, who has been President of the Monaco Red Cross since Grace Kelly’s death in 1982. Before Princess Grace, HSH Prince Rainier III was President of the Monaco Red Cross from 1949 to 1958. Since 1948, when the Monaco Red Cross was founded, it has worked to help humanitarian needs, aiming to prevent and alleviate suffering. The Monaco Red Cross has held fundraising shows since 1948 and in 1957, the annual ball became the event we now know, and performers over the years have included Tina Turner, Elton John, Shirley Bassey and Frank Sinatra.