It was an afternoon of elegance, celebration, and powerful female influence at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Tuesday, as the Women of Monaco Lunch and Awards brought together some of the most inspiring women in the Principality. Among them were Princess Caroline of Hanover and Dame Shirley Bassey, two icons in their own right, who lent their prestige to this glamorous gathering.
The Salon Aquarama was filled to capacity on 11th March, with distinguished guests including Lady Tina Green, Lady Monika Bacardi, Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies and Victoria Silvstedt. Following a sparkling champagne reception and a flurry of photographs, the event got underway with the much-anticipated awards ceremony, honouring women who have made a significant impact across various fields.
Dame Shirley Bassey, a Monaco resident for nearly three decades, took home the Music Award, recognising her extraordinary voice and long-standing influence on the music industry. Ever the entertainer, she couldn’t resist singing a few lines as she accepted her award, delighting the audience with her signature flair.
Fashion designer Isabell Kristensen was recognised with the Women of Monaco Fashion Award, while Louise Grether, president of Monaco Art Week and head of Sotheby’s Monaco, was honoured with the Art Award for her contribution to the cultural landscape of the Principality. Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, Director of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, was awarded for her work in advancing healthcare.
Italian journalist and Princely family member Beatrice Borromeo was celebrated with the Image Award, though she was unable to attend in person. Lady Tina Green was presented with the Entrepreneurship Award, recognising her expertise in luxury interior design, and Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies took home the Philanthropy Award for her patronage of the arts and dedication to female-focused charities and health organisations.
Beyond the accolades, the event was also a celebration of the second anniversary of the Women of Monaco Club, which was founded in 2023 at this very location. Organiser Sandrine Knoell reflected on its success, saying, “Thank you to all the women who have believed in the Women of Monaco Club since the beginning. We have created a big family, and it is something that I believe was missing here.
“The Women of Monaco Lunch and Awards is all about shining a light on the incredible women who are making an impact both in Monaco and beyond. It’s important to highlight their achievements, not just for today, but as an inspiration for the next generation—for our daughters, our sons—to see the value of recognising and empowering women.”
Valerie Genin, Head of Investments at Barclays Private Bank Monaco, took the stage to share invaluable career advice, encouraging women to embrace ambition, navigate office politics, and seek out mentors. “These awards are a much-needed recognition for women and put a spotlight on women. But it is also about impact, and we all have a responsibility to lift up and support each other,” she said.
Philanthropy remained at the heart of the occasion, with an auction including artworks from Yellow Korner and a signed football jersey raising an impressive €14,000 for the Princess Grace Foundation. Guests were also treated to an exquisite fashion show by designer Violante Nessi before leaving with luxury gift bags filled with thoughtful keepsakes by the event’s supporters, including Sarah Ho, a Monaco resident and jewellery designer who has carved out a unique niche for herself in the field of fine jewellery.
In a surprise moment, Sandrine Knoell was herself presented with an award, recognising her two decades of dedication to hosting the renowned Bal de Noël.
With demand for tickets so high that an extra table had to be squeezed in, the Women of Monaco Lunch and Awards once again proved to be one of the most sought-after events on the social calendar, celebrating the power, influence, and achievements of Monaco’s most remarkable women.
Monaco Life was there! See more in our video reel below, and scroll down for more images of the event…
View this post on Instagram
Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Main photo credit: Axel Bastello, Prince’s Palace