Princess Charlene is preparing for one of Monaco’s most anticipated evenings of the summer. On Saturday, July 18, she will join Prince Albert at Sporting Monte-Carlo for the 77th Monaco Red Cross Gala, a cornerstone of the Principality’s social and charitable calendar.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesThe 2026 edition will feature several firsts, from a 360-degree arrival experience to a Michelin-starred dinner, live music and fireworks. The event will also place Charlene’s humanitarian role in the spotlight as she helps lead one of Monaco’s most important annual fundraisers.
© WireImageWhat to Expect at the 2026 Red Cross Gala
The evening will honor the work carried out each day by the Monaco Red Cross and its teams. It will also recognize the generosity of its donors, whose support is essential to preventing and relieving the suffering of society’s most vulnerable people.
© Getty ImagesThe program will include a formal dinner in the Salle des Étoiles, followed by a prize drawing. For the first time, guests will be welcomed with an immersive 360-degree experience upon entering the Sporting Monte-Carlo lobby.
© AFP via Getty ImagesAn Exclusive Show and a Late-Night Celebration
The evening will feature the premiere of an original production by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, SOUL! Where Legends Come Back.
Following the success of the 2025 edition, the show returns this season with a one-of-a-kind live performance tracing the evolution of African American music, from the pioneers of rock ’n’ roll and funk to contemporary R&B icons.
The celebration will continue at Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo, which will be transformed into a speakeasy for the occasion. A live jazz band will entertain guests who wish to keep the festivities going into the early morning hours.
A Menu by a Three-Michelin-Star Chef
Doors to the Salle des Étoiles will open at 7:45 p.m., followed by dinner from three-Michelin-star chef Marcel Ravin. He developed the menu with Sporting Monte-Carlo chef Thierry Saez-Manzanares and the culinary and sommelier teams of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.
© Getty ImagesRenowned pastry chef Cédric Grolet will create the dessert. The prize drawing will include four major prizes, and the evening will conclude with a fireworks display.
© AFP via Getty ImagesA Commitment to Art and Humanitarianism
Belgian artist Johan Creten will donate his work Éloge de l’Espoir to the Monaco Red Cross. Born in 1963, Creten is a sculptor and a pioneer in the revival of contemporary ceramics.
© Getty ImagesThe hand-sculpted wall piece belongs to his celebrated Odore di Femmina series, works from which have been exhibited at institutions including the Louvre Museum and the Centre Pompidou.
At the center of the piece is a glazed red cross that recalls the improvised emblems seen in disaster zones. The image serves as a symbol of resilience and humanitarian strength.
International Red Cross Leaders in Attendance
The 77th gala will welcome two distinguished guests: Kate Forbes, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Caroline Cross, president of the French Red Cross.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesTheir attendance highlights Monaco’s important role in the global humanitarian network.
Charlene’s Big Night
Along with the Rose Ball and Monaco’s National Day, the Red Cross Gala is one of the most important social and institutional events on Princess Charlene’s calendar.
© MAXPPPAs Monaco’s premier charity event, the gala reinforces her role within the Principality and offers a prominent platform for her public and humanitarian work.
