The highlight of the coming month will undoubtedly be the Centennial Ball at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, but there are lots of other special events planned in memory of Prince Rainier III this October too. Here are all the details.

Prince Rainier III, Monaco’s “Builder Prince” and the father of the nation’s current sovereign, Prince Albert II, would have been 100 this year. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on all over the Principality, which was forever changed under his careful yet ambitious stewardship.

Events held in his honour have been organised throughout 2023 and continue in October with a host of cultural and social dates.

Rainier III par Lui-Même

Next month’s programme begins with a screening of a film directed by Yann-Antony Noghès entitled Rainier III par Lui-Même on 5th October at 6.30pm in Monaco’s Cinema des Beaux-Arts. The film is a biopic that uses personal sound recordings made by Prince Rainier to tell the story of his fascinating life in his own words. It will be shown in French with English subtitles.

There will be another chance to catch the film on 25th October at the Théâtre des Variétés, also at 6.30pm.

For the love of music

On 6th October will be the first part in a series called Rainier III et Le Musique: La Musique Savante, an event being touted as a “conference-concert”, which is set to take place at the Théâtre des Variétés at 6.30pm.

The line-up features music therapy practitioner Raphaëlle Doublier speaking on the late Prince Rainier’s love of music and how he sought to bring a strong musical culture to the Principality.

Works by Jules Lechner, César Scotto and Jean Françaix will be performed by a piano-cello duo, a solo pianist and a bassoon quintet from the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo. Additionally, an extract from an oratorio by Monegasque poet and composer Léo Ferré, which was written at the Prince’s behest, will be performed.

A taste of the golden years of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace

Then, on 20th October, the much-awaited Centennial Ball will be held in the Casino de Monte-Carlo.

This charity gala affair invites its prestigious guest list to relive the exquisite balls hosted in yesteryear by Prince Rainier and his beloved wife, Princess Grace. The party starts at 8pm and is being organised by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

Read related:

Prince Rainier III documentary to be rolled out in cinemas across Monaco

Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.

Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

Photo credit: Palais Princier de Monaco Archives / Georges Lukomski

Ladies dressed in every shade of pink have come together for another successful Women of Monaco Lunch, designed to unite influential extraordinary women from all backgrounds in the Principality at a fun event for charity.

The Women of Monaco Lunch is an initiative by Sandrine Knoell and her company 5 Stars Events, and is part of the elite international social club Women of Monaco Club.

The seventh edition was held on Thursday 5^th October in the stunning Salon Rose of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. The 19^th century room, decorated in boudoir style, was once a literary salon and retains all of the charm of the times: romantic niches and alcoves, pearled ornaments and an allegorical depiction of pleasure painted by Italian artist Massimiliano Gallelli.

It was the perfect backdrop to the pink-themed lunch, a not-so-subtle nod to the outrageously popular Barbie movie, and a celebration of the power of women and community. Floral bouquets and pink silks completed the feminine vibe.

Guests were served a delicious three-course meal prepared by Head Chef Richard Rubbini.

The lunch also featured a fashion show of the latest collection titled ‘A symphony of elegance’ by French fashion designer Anne Fontaine, the queen of the white shirt.

The Barbie theme was punctuated by the auction of three rare Barbie dolls, including one-of-a-kind Princess Grace dolls. The auction, which included a large photographic portrait of Grace Kelly, raised €6,000 for the Princess Grace Foundation.

See more in our picture gallery…