29 NOVEMBER 2005

Princess Michael of Kent is something of an expert on French royal history, so she must have felt completely at home when she attended a bash at the Palace of Versailles this week. The elegant royal was looking characteristically radiant when she and her husband rolled up to the historic building for a charity gala on Monday night.

Once inside, they were joined by the cream of French society, along with Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and British pop veteran Sir Elton John. And the princess' fellow guests will no doubt have benefited from her vast knowledge of Versailles' colourful history.

The 60-year-old has written and lectured extensively about the palace's famous residents, who have included the likes of Marie-Antoinette, and the role they have played in their country's development. Louis XIV, who built the sumptuous property, would stage huge parties there to make sure his nobles were too busy enjoying themselves to think about rebellion.

Monday's bash was born of more worthy motivations. The event was staged to raise money for Fondation Pour L'Enfance, the French Foundation for Children.