2016 PRINCESS GRACE AWARDS GALA HONORING QUEEN LATIFAH IN NEW YORK

by Eleonora Pedron

NEW YORK. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the 2016 Princess Grace awards gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 24th, 2016 in New York City, USA honoring Queen Latifah with the Prince Rainier III Award, and  Leslie Odom Jr. and Camille A. Brown with the Princess Grace Statue Award.

In the presence of TSH the Prince and Princess of Monaco, NYC Ballet principals Tiler Peck (Princess Grace Award Winner) and Robert Fairchild kicked off the evening with a performance followed by Naomi Campbell, the evening’s host, welcoming guests. Gala Co-chair and former Princess Grace Award Winners Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel, introduced guests to the 21st 2016 Princess Award Winners displaying their talents in theater, dance and film.

After dinner, Tony Award Winning Costume Designer and former Princess Grace Award Winner Paul Tazewell presented the Princess Grace Statue Awards to Mr. Odom and Ms. Brown for their accomplishments and success in their careers since winning their initial Award. TSH the Prince and Princess then took the stage to present the Prince Rainier Award to Queen Latifah for her continued philanthropy across many charities. The night ended with dancing and a gift bag from Presenting Sponsor Dior. Princess Charlene wore a white Dior evening dress with green flowers and leaves motifs. The veteran rapper-actress Queen Latifah looked radiant in her all-white Christian Siriano gown with diamanté collar detail. The next day, October 25th 2016, Princess Charlene of Monaco and former Mayor of New York. Mr. Michael Bloomberg met in New York City, within the framework of their respective foundations (Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies), in order to discuss drowning prevention and water safety.

They exchanged ideas on how to raise public awareness and how to reach the greatest number of people, as well as on how to save children’s lives. Princess wore Roland Mouret Dagnall Dress.

Princess Grace Foundation’s mission is dedicated to identifying and assisting emerging talent in theater, dance, and film by awarding grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships. During Her lifetime, Princess Grace of Monaco was committed to helping emerging artists realize their career goals. Following Her death in 1982, Prince Rainier III of Monaco mobilized a group of individuals to establish the Princess Grace Foundation-USA as a tribute to Her legacy. Since then, and until His death in 2005, Prince Rainier and His children have been active in the oversight and direction of the organization. The Foundation continues its mission to assist performing artists in honor of Princess Grace. From its inception, the Princess Grace Foundation–USA was fortunate to have dedicated supporters, not only in Princess Grace’s family, but in Her many friends and admirers including producer Gant Gaither, Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, John Johnson, William Rogers, Mary Wells Lawrence, and one of Princess Grace’s best friend, the texan socialite Mrs.Lynn Wyatt. The Board of Trustees, with Robert Hausman as its first chairman, incorporated the Princess Grace Foundation-USA as a not-for-profit public charity. Though entirely independent, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA cooperates with the Princess Grace Foundation, Monaco, founded by Princess Grace and now under the presidency of Her daughter Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Hanover. In 1984, after the initial fundraising phase was complete, financial grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships were awarded to artists associated with schools or companies in the dance and theater disciplines. Film Scholarships became an integral part of the Princess Grace Awards program in 1989. An arts advisory board composed of distinguished professionals in each of those fields was appointed to choose the most talented applicants as Awards winners. President and Mrs. Reagan were present in 1984 when the first grants were awarded during an event-filled weekend in Washington D.C., including a White House reception. The year before, in March 1983, President Reagan and Nancy Reagan assisted with Princess Caroline and Prince Albert of Monaco at the Nancy Reagan’s National Symphony Orchestra Performance of Saint Saens “Carnival of the Animals” at the Kennedy Center. Washington, DC.

The tradition continues each year as new recipients are honored at the annual Awards Gala in New York City. Over the past 34 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $12 million to nearly 800 theater, dance, and film artists nationwide. It continues to fund its inaugural disciplines and has expanded its grants program to include playwriting and choreography grants within the theater and dance categories. In 1989, the Foundation added the film category to the grants program. In 2003, the Foundation furthered the commitment to its artists by creating the Special Project Awards category. These grants, offered only to Princess Grace Award winners, provide project-specific funding for consequential artistic opportunities. In 2008, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA formed a partnership with the Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) to provide further support for Princess Grace Awardwinners. The Works in Progress Residency enables these artists to explore, experiment, and push the boundaries of their work in an environment that focuses on process over product. The Foundation hopes to foster a community network for continued support of recipients as they progress in their careers. Awards winners who have displayed consistent excellence in theater, dance or film, have received the Foundation’s highest honor: the Princess Grace Statue Award. In addition to a monetary gift, a bronze statuette of Princess Grace hese Awardees are presented with created by the Dutch artist, Kees Verkade. To date, 57 artists have received this coveted Award. In 2005, the Board of Trustees inaugurated the Prince Rainier III Award, in honor of the man who helped begin the Foundation. This Award is presented to eminent artists who have not only been highly successful in their careers, but have made significant humanitarian contributions to their fields. Mikhail Baryshnikov (2005), Twyla Tharp (2006), George Lucas (2007), Glenn Close (2008), Mandy Patinkin (2009), Denzel and Pauletta Washington (2010), Julie Andrews (2011), Lynn Wyatt (2012), Cicely Tyson (2013) Dick Van Dyke (2014) and Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford (2015) have received this honor, which includes a grant to the philanthropic organization of their choice. As the Princess Grace Foundation-USA enters its second quarter-century, the future of the Foundation is secure. With John F. Lehman, Jr. at the helm and H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco serving as Vice-Chairman, the dedicated board supports the Foundation’s work. Ms. Toby Boshak, who has been with the Foundation for 20 years, is the Executive Director. The organization is financially stable and looks forward to substantial growth while remaining faithful to the principles of its original mission to support the needs of emerging artists. The success of Princess Grace Award winners inspire new and creative ways to help talented performing artists achieve their goals.

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THE 2015 AWARD GALA IN MONACO WAS HOSTED IN THE PRINCE’S PALACE!

MONACO. A year ago, on September 5 2015, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA was delighted to present the 2015 Princess Grace Awards Gala, hosted by Their Serene Highnesses The Prince and The Princess of Monaco, at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco for the very first time in the foundation’s 33-year history! Christian Dior Couture sponsored the event, and recognized the magnificent scope of work done by legendary actor Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford by bestowing the Prince Rainer III Award.

Cary Fukunaga received the Princess Grace Statue Award for his success in film and television, since first receiving the Princess Grace Award in 2005 as an emerging artist. Actress, Jane Krakoswki with her grace and wit was our mistress of ceremonies for the evening, charming the likes of guests, Sir. Roger Moore and Ms. Lynn Wyatt. We are thrilled and thankful to everyone who came to this years Gala and made it such a memorable evening. Princess Charlene looked stunning in a fabulous gown at the Princess Grace Awards that was certainly fit for a queen.

 

From Christian Dior’s AW15 Couture collection it features dense sequin embellishment, a high neck and short sleeves. It’s simple but beautiful and it was the perfect choice for the tall and slender Charlene.