Monaco’s royal family
The Rose Ball in 2008 changed everything
Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock on March 29, 2008 at the Rose Ball in Monte-Carlo.
© ABACAPRESS / imago images
On March 29, 2008, Caroline von Hanover hosted her traditional Rose Ball in Monte-Carlo, as she does every year. An evening full of glamor and surprises – and a bittersweet realization.
Hardly any event in Monaco is as glamorous and prestigious as the Rose Ball, which has been taking place in the “Salle des Étoiles des Sporting Monte-Carlo” since 1954. Since the tragic death of Princess Grace of Monaco, †52, Caroline of Hanover, 67, has continued her mother’s tradition and, with the help of a confidant of her choice, manages to make the Star Hall in the Principality shine every year.
Princess Charlène celebrates prestigious debut
The Rose Ball took place on March 29, 2008 under the motto “Movida Madrileña” (currently: Madrid Movement) and was pleased to have a very special guest: Charlene Wittstock. After the swimmer met the then Monegasque hereditary prince in Monaco in 2000, she was repeatedly spotted with the current Prince Albert, 66. In 2006 they attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics together, were spotted at the Monaco Grand Prix and appeared side by side at the Red Cross Gala in Monaco – wedding rumors grew. A year later, the current Princess Charlène, 46, moved to Monaco and accompanied her partner to the prestigious Rose Ball in Monte-Carlo for the first time in 2008.
Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock on March 29, 2008 at the Rose Ball in Monte-Carlo.
© AFP PHOTO VALERY HACHE / Getty Images
Together with Albert’s sister Caroline and her husband Prince Ernst August of Hanover, 70, the still somewhat shy athlete beamed for the press. The beginning of a new era for the royal family had begun, and nobility experts were sure that the engagement of the beautiful couple would soon be announced. But two more years were to pass: it wasn’t until June 23, 2010 that the Grimaldis officially announced Albert and Charlene’s engagement, and they got married a year later.
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Prince Ernst August of Hanover has been missing from the Rose Ball since 2008
Nobody suspected that evening that Princess Charlène’s Rose Ball debut would mean the end of Prince Ernst August’s presence at the charity event. On March 29, 2008, the head of the family of the former royal house of Hanover appeared at the dazzling event for the last time; on June 27, 2009, the prince made his last public appearance alongside his wife Caroline. Together with Prince Albert and Charlotte Casiraghi, 37, they attended the Monte Carlo International Equestrian Show in Port Hercule. 15 years have passed since then.
Sources used: imago-images.de, visitmonaco.com