Monaco Société des Bains de Mer announced yesterday that the 2020 Rose Ball will be postponed. As a response to the tightening of precautionary measures surrounding COVID-19, this year’s Rose Ball will be rescheduled as developments in the outbreak follow. As of yet, no new date has been set.
This was to be the 66th event since its conception by Princess Grace of Monaco in 1954. Held in the Salle des Etoiles of Monte-Carlo Sporting, the primary venue for fundraisers in Monaco, the dinner raises funds for the Princess Grace Foundation.
It has never before been cancelled, even following the tragic death of its founder in 1982.
Karl Lagerfeld was honoured at the event last year after his passing in February. He had been its artistic director since 1999, and close friend of Princess Caroline of Hanover, organiser of the Rose Ball.
The theme this year was to be Bollywood, with the curation of the show now led by Christian Louboutin.
Every year guests gather in Monaco to raise funds for the various causes aided by the Princess Grace Foundation.
After the President of the Monaco International Auto Show 2020 (SIAM) lamented the atmosphere had been severely impacted by the panic surrounding the virus, many other events are expected to be cancelled or postponed. There was an estimated 60-80% drop in attendance at SIAM last week, whereas there were very few cancellations from exhibitors.