Princess Charlene brought striking evening glamour to Monaco on Friday, joining Prince Albert in a black beaded gown for the 20th anniversary gala of his foundation.
The royal chose a Jenny Packham design for the September 18 celebration at the Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, pairing its fitted silhouette with sparkling diamond jewellery.
The gown featured a sheer capelet over the neckline and shoulders, with cascading rows of tonal embellishment creating a fringed effect. Beneath the intricate detailing, a sleek skirt fell to the floor, keeping the focus on the beading across her upper body.
Charlene carried a small black clutch and wore pointed black heels, completing the look with diamond drop earrings. Her blonde hair was swept into an updo, with a softly styled section at the front, while smoky eye makeup and pink lipstick complemented the evening outfit.
Albert stood beside her in a black tuxedo and bow tie as they welcomed guests for a celebration marking two decades of environmental work.
© Getty ImagesPrincess Charlene's Jenny Packham gown
Charlene's choice brought together two familiar elements of her evening wardrobe: a streamlined shape and intricate embellishment.
The dress, priced at £2,540, featured a high neckline and a capelet that draped over her shoulders. Its dark beading gave the all-black design texture without introducing a contrasting colour.
The princess had also turned to Jenny Packham for the closing ceremony of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in June 2026. On that occasion, she chose a shimmering champagne gown with a high neckline, adding diamond studs and coordinating shoes.
She attended that event with Albert, with the couple presenting awards during a ceremony that honoured actor Kurt Russell. The two appearances showed different sides of the designer's eveningwear, moving from pale, all-over sparkle in June to dramatic black beading in September.
© WireImagePrincess Charlene's fashion connection to Princess Kate
Jenny Packham also held a well-established place in the Princess of Wales's wardrobe.
One of Kate's most memorable commissions was the pale blue polka-dot dress she wore outside St Mary's Hospital on July 23, 2013, when she and Prince William introduced their newborn son, Prince George.
The bespoke design featured short sleeves and a softly gathered waist, offering a very different example of the British label's work from Charlene's embellished evening gown.
At the time, the fashion house confirmed that Kate's dress had been created specifically for her and would not be available to buy.
© WireImagePrince Albert's foundation celebrates 20 years
The Monaco gala marked a significant anniversary for Albert, who established his foundation in 2006.
Its work focused on climate change, biodiversity and water resources, with projects supporting both ecosystems and the communities that depended on them. Ahead of the celebration, the foundation said it had supported more than 830 projects worldwide.
The programme brought together entertainment and fundraising, with Monica Bellucci and Richard Gere named as guests of honour. Christina Aguilera, Plácido Domingo and Sister Sledge were announced as performers.
Chef Yannick Alléno created the dinner menu, while auctioneer Simon de Pury was enlisted to lead a sale featuring art, collectable pieces and experiences.
© WireImagePrincess Charlene on finding her personal style
Long before her latest gala appearance, Charlene spoke candidly about learning to feel comfortable with the expectations surrounding royal dressing.
In a 2011 Vogue interview ahead of her wedding, the former Olympic swimmer recalled feeling unsure about what to wear during her early years in Monaco. Working with designers including Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld helped her develop greater confidence in her own choices.
She explained that she had gradually become more willing to experiment: "I've reached the point where I know what I like and what works. I'm starting to play with fresher, bolder, and more daring looks."
