Sea, waves of flowers and the voice of John Legend. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene opened the dances
S.A.S. le Prince Albert II et S.A.S. la Princesse Charlene 
S.A.S. le Prince Albert II, John Legend et S.A.S. la Princesse Charlene 
S.A.S. le Prince Albert II et S.A.S. la Princesse Charlene 
S.A.S. la Princesse Charlene 
Salle des Etoiles 
Fireworks 
Wave of flowers Salle des Etoiles
Photo © Villard / Mathon – Palais Princier-SBM and
GO Monte Carlo
Andrea Munari
It was the 71st Monaco Red Cross Gala on Friday 26 July in the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting Monte Carlo, between waves composed of 25 thousand flowers in blue blue tones on the walls, to interpret the theme of the sea and the preservation of seabed.
It is the most important gala of the summer and allows the Principality’s Red Cross to receive funds and donations to finance humanitarian actions.
The hosts are Prince Albert II and his wife, Princess Charlene, wearing an emerald green dress.
There is also Shirley Bassey, in 1971 and 2000 she was the musical guest of the event. This year John Legend is the gala star.
Here comes the film producer Monika Bacardi who at the upcoming Venice Film Festival says she will present the new film with Johnny Depp. Also present were the jewelers Alberto and Gió Repossi, the designer Isabelle Kristensen with her daughter.
Marcello Lo Giudice is the Italian artist who created the work inspired by this year’s gala, which he called Rosso Vulcano.
After the traditional Tombola with valuable prizes, dinner is served: zucchini flower is Oscietre caviar, creamy gallinette with lime, zucchini freshness, thin rock fish jelly with saffran pistils. John Dory is stuffed artichoke ‘poivrade’, greek vegetables and olive oil. Angus beef is ribsteak, preserved tomatoes with basil, shredded truffle and parmesa, charon sauce with virgin oil. Dessert is Roussillon apricot, organic milk chocolate cake and vanilla marmelade, hazelnut biscuit.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene open the dances and just before midnight the sky lights up with fireworks.
It’s up to John Legend. He’s on stage, only voice and piano. Start with Best You Ever Had and say “Thank you for your support”. It enchants in Love Me Now, reinterprets Dancing in The Dark and Here Comes The Sun. All greatest hits, like the beautiful Ordinary People and the intense All of Me. Applause for the American artist awarded with an Emmy Award, 10 Grammys Award, a Golden Globe, a Tony Award and an Academy Award. The 71st Monaco Red Cross Gala welcomed about 900 people from all over the world.
