The Order of Malta's ball at the Cercle de l'Union Interalliée in Paris made for a historic occasion. Princess Caroline of Hanover stood at the center of it all, taking the spot that her mother so stunningly occupied 59 years ago. Princess Grace of Monaco presided over the event in 1967, the last time the Order of Malta held a gala in Paris.
© Alizée de VanssayThe event welcomed 420 guests, ushered in by the Republican Guard on the steps of one of Paris' most storied private clubs, and was produced free of charge by Alejandra Poupel Events, with the support of the Novelty Group and Inspiration Music & Arts.
The Cercle de l'Union Interalliée, with its grand salons and historic architecture, made for the perfect setting for a night where history played such an important role. Cocktails began at 7:00 p.m. in the Nouvel Cercle salon on the fourth floor, accompanied by a Republican Guard quartet. Dinner followed at 8:30 p.m., split in two rooms: the Marc de Beaumont Room for guests over the age of 35, and the Foch Room for younger attendees.
What Caroline Wore — and What It Said
© Olga GasnierIt was an evening layered with history, with the royals' clothing telling part of their rich histories. Caroline arrived in a Jenny Packham luminous blue sequined tulle gown. It was a choice that read as regal and timeless, but also modern and bold.
She accessorized it with Cartier sapphire earrings that once belonged to her grandmother, Princess Charlotte of Monaco. It's the kind of detail that might go unnoticed at another event, but here, in a gala that was once presided over by her mother, it resonated.
© Alizée de VanssayCaroline, who turned 69 in January and has spent decades as one of Europe's most quietly influential royal figures, has long understood the power of continuity. She's led numerous initiatives and organizations, among them the Ballet de Monte Carlo, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Princess Grace Foundation, and UNESCO's programs for the education of women and girls. With her work, she carries her family's legacy as a living practice.
A Cause Worth Dressing For
© Alizée de VanssayAside from the chic elements baked into every part of the ball, all proceeds from the evening went directly to the Order of Malta's 68th Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Proceeds were raised through a Christie's auction, with there being a raffle with 31 prizes. In the auction, there were items of true distinction, including what organizers described as a "first of its kind Argentine lot."
The Order of Malta's Lourdes pilgrimage is one of the largest international pilgrimages in the world, uniting thousands of volunteers and people in need of care for a trip to France for a week of "prayer, service, and healing."
When the Dancing Began
© Alizée de VanssayBy 11:30 p.m., the formalities had given way to something more loose. Six performers took over the youth hall, inspiring people to dance and enjoy themselves until 3:00 a.m. The adults, who began the evening in their own section, quickly migrated towards the music. The DJs from the Inspiration Group took over from the live acts, followed by Jockey Tricolore.
Also in attendance were Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg with their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Paul Louis, a reminder that evenings like this are as much about the families who carry these institutions forward as they are about the institutions themselves.
The Order of Malta's Paris ball offered something unique. Beyond the dancing, stunning gowns, and timeless jewelry, it connected the past to the present. Caroline presided over an evening where her mother played a key figure, wearing her grandmother's sapphires, committed to the work the Order has been doing for almost a millennium.
© Alizée de Vanssay
