Charlene of Monaco stuns in white backless Elie Saab gown at Ballon d'Or solo appearance, hints at Olympic past

Princess Charlene of Monaco made a solo appearance at the Ballon d'Or on Thursday night, turning heads in a white backless gown and signaling a rare public moment tied to her athletic past. The 47-year-old royal, who is married to Prince Albert, attended the Theatre des Champs-Élysées for the ceremony as a guest presenter rather than a member of the official royal entourage. She did not walk the red carpet with her husband, but she did carry herself with the poise that has characterized her public appearances in recent years.

Charlene wore a show-stopping Elie Saab gown, selecting the designer’s white 'Cady' dress with an asymmetrical back that highlighted the former Olympic swimmer’s silhouette. Onlookers noted the slim, minimalist lines and the gown’s backless design as a striking contrast to the more traditional attire often associated with royal appearances. She posed for photographs on the red carpet with a small group including Clarisse Agbegnenou, basketball player Florent Pietrus, and Canadian taekwondo champion Marlene Harnois, though she was not accompanied by Prince Albert at the event.

During the ceremony, Charlene did reference her athletic past while presenting the Sócrates Trophy, an award established in 2022 and named after the Brazilian football legend. Addressing the room, she said, “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure to be here tonight among football's greatest players, champions, passionate supporters to present the Sócrates Trophy.” She added that Monaco has been designated the World Capital of Sports in 2025, and she noted the shared values of former Olympians in promoting sport as a vehicle for youth development: “As former Olympians, the Prince and I share the vision of the exemplary and educational importance of sports. We hope that by promoting sports, the corresponding values contribute to a more balanced development of the youth. Football is more than an activity in itself. Sports require passion, patience, and commitment.”

The Sócrates Trophy was awarded to the Xana Foundation, an organization founded by Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique to support children facing serious illnesses. The award was received by foundation patron Sira Martinez. The Xana Foundation carries the memory of Xana, Enrique’s daughter who died in 2019 from bone cancer at the age of nine. The moment underscored Charlene’s ongoing engagement with philanthropic and sporting initiatives, even as she has continued to navigate a lengthy and widely reported health saga that sidelined her for much of 2021 and 2022.

In recent years, Charlene has spoken publicly about the toll of her health crisis. In a 2022 interview with Gala magazine quoted by Hello!, she described a shift from intensive training to a more moderated routine: “I walk, I cycle, I swim too, but not as much as before. When I was young, I trained very hard... these days, it’s all about moderation. It can be quite difficult because my nature is to want to beat records, win medals and surpass my limits. But, at nearly 47 years old, I can no longer do that… my body won’t let me. My spirit and my heart might, but my body says no.”

The Ballon d’Or ceremony this year crowned Ousmane Dembélé as the men’s winner, with Lamine Yamal taking the Kopa Trophy for the most promising young player. Dembélé’s triumph followed a season in which he starred for Paris Saint-Germain and France, contributing to a campaign viewed as one of the strongest in the tournament’s recent history. In the women’s category, a strong showing by England’s Lionesses—who had claimed Euro glory earlier in the year—was reflected in nominations for several players, including captain Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly, though the final prize went to a different honoree. The event’s broader field of awards underscored the Ballon d’Or’s ongoing blend of elite men’s and women’s football with the sport’s rising stars and humanitarian efforts.

Charlene’s appearance comes as Monaco continues to project itself as a hub of sport and culture. The principality has highlighted its status as a world capital of sports for 2025, a designation that aligns with the royal family’s emphasis on athleticism, resilience, and public service. Charlene’s public profile has gradually returned to form since her 2021 health setback, which saw her spend ten months in South Africa receiving treatment for what was described at the time as extreme fatigue. She later returned to Monaco in 2023 and has since appeared at multiple high-profile engagements alongside Albert and their children, who have also been balancing school duties and public appearances.

Beyond the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Charlene’s family life remains a focus of interest for royal watchers. Photos and social-media posts in recent weeks have shown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella starting a new academic year at the Institution François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré, with posts highlighting the twins’ updated uniforms and interests, including Labubu collectibles and Roblox merchandise. The royal household has continued to frame these appearances as part of a careful reintroduction to public life after Charlene’s long period away from the public eye.

The Ballon d'Or itself highlighted a year of success and depth across the sport, with winners and nominees reflecting a blend of established stars and emerging talents. Charlene’s solo appearance, paired with her remarks about the importance of sport and youth development, reinforced a broader narrative about sport as a force for good and a pillar of cultural life in Monaco and beyond.