A diamond ring, two determined bidders and a room thoroughly enjoying the spectacle helped the 16th Women of Monaco Lunch raise €35,000 for the Princess Grace Foundation at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, the highest amount in the event’s history.
The lunch, created by Sandrine Knoell and organised by her company 5 Stars Events, took place on Thursday 8th October in the hotel’s Salon Méditerranée, with the support of Barclays Private Bank. Continuing its steady progress through the colour chart, this edition was dressed in red, with guests arriving in every shade from scarlet to deep burgundy.
A duel for a diamond ring
The Women of Monaco Club, an invitation-only circle that brings together women of many nationalities and professional backgrounds, drew some well-known names to this edition. Lady Tina Green, Lady Monika Bacardi and Victoria Silvstedt were among the guests, and all three made their support felt.
Lady Green set the tone early, pledging €10,000 to the foundation before the lunch had even begun.
The afternoon’s most memorable moment came during the charity auction. When the Vertigo II ring by De Trazegnies, crafted in 18-carat palladium white gold and set with 38 natural white diamonds, went under the hammer, Lady Green and Lady Bacardi found themselves bidding against each other, much to the amusement of the room. Neither was prepared to give way, and the contest ended with both women securing a ring, each in return for a €7,000 donation.
Other lots included a Grace Kelly sculpture in wood by Marcos Marin, an exclusive couture gown by Irina Marchuk, six bottles of SGC’s La Liberté wine, and an embroidered set celebrating the 70th anniversary of the ‘Wedding of the Century’ between Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly in April 1956.
Together, the donations and auction brought the total to €35,000, comfortably ahead of the €13,700 raised at the green-themed edition last October.
Two-star cooking in red
The menu, signed by Christophe Cussac, the chef behind the two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs at the Métropole, carried the theme onto the plate. Prawns with walnuts and red endives were followed by veal in fine leaves with aromatics, before a raspberry pavlova with hibiscus infusion and chocolate bonbons. Veuve Clicquot Champagne was served alongside wines from Provence, and the food drew warm praise from around the room.
After a welcome speech from Sandrine Knoell, Irina Phillips of Barclays Private Bank gave an address, before designer Irina Marchuk presented a collection of daywear and evening gowns, with hair and make-up for the models by Cool Bay Monaco, while guests left with beauty gifts from ANTHÉSTÉ, the Greco-Azuréan luxury skincare house.
Supporting children and families
Founded in 1964 by Princess Grace, the Princess Grace Foundation supports hospitalised children and their families, funds paediatric medical research and encourages cultural initiatives for young people.
For Sandrine Knoell and 5 Stars Events, the record afternoon caps another successful chapter. Her attention now turns to the next date in the calendar, the Bal de Noël.
Monaco Life was there. See more in our video below…
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Main Photo credit: Alena Borodina