Prince Albert II Foundation Gala

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, created by the Sovereign Prince in 2006 to work on climate, biodiversity and water, raises a large part of its money at a black-tie benefit evening in Monte-Carlo. From 2017 to 2021 that evening had a name and a fixed slot — the Monte-Carlo Gala, held on a Wednesday or Thursday in the last week of September. Since then it has not run as an annual series; the Foundation's most recent gala was its 20th-anniversary evening on 18 September 2026.

The 2026 edition: twenty years of the Foundation

On Friday 18 September 2026, the Foundation marked its twentieth anniversary with a gala in the Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, in the presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène. Monica Bellucci and Richard Gere were guests of honour; Christina Aguilera, Plácido Domingo and Sister Sledge performed; Yannick Alléno signed the dinner. As at every edition since 2017, the evening's centrepiece was an auction conducted by Simon de Pury, with works by George Condo, Urs Fischer and Secundino Hernández alongside jewellery and experiences. According to the Foundation, it has backed more than 830 projects over its twenty years.

The Monte-Carlo Gala, 2017–2021

The gala began as an ocean fundraiser — the 2017 edition alone announced USD 14 million raised — and was renamed in 2020 when its remit widened to "Ocean, Earth, Humanity". The 2021 edition, held at the Palace for the Foundation's 15th anniversary, shared part of its auction with the Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation. The gala's own website still lists 2021 as its most recent edition.

Can you attend?

Not in the ordinary sense. These are fundraising dinners: seats are sold as tables to donors and sponsors, allocated through the Foundation, and neither the date nor a public ticket is advertised in advance. For anyone else, the evening is visible only from outside — arrivals on the Place du Casino — and through the press coverage the next day. Enquiries go to the Foundation's events team at planetgala@fpa2.org (+377 98 98 81 01).

The Foundation's other recurring public moment is the Planetary Health Awards ceremony, which rewards individuals and organisations for environmental work; the 17th edition was held at the Salle Garnier on 7 November 2024.

Where it fits

For the other big benefit evenings of the Monaco year — the Red Cross Gala in July, the Bal de la Rose and the smaller association dinners — see the charity galas guide. The rest of the season is in the autumn guide.

Official site: fpa2.org.