Le Bal des Débutantes 2023

Royal and Noble Debutantes from around the world attended Le Bal des Débutantes at the Shangri La Hotel in Paris on November 25th. Le Bal is organised by Ophélie Renouard to celebrate honourable young women from Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, while raising funds for charity.

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The Ball was opened by Countess Lara-Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck with her father Count Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, followed by a waltz with the débutantes and their fathers, who then ceded their daughters to the cavaliers, and the waltz was replaced with contemporary music with a live band. The annual charity event launched prominent young women into society, and raises funds for the cardiology research unit ARCFA of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, which improves the quality of care for children with heart defects all over the world, and the Washington based World Central Kitchen that provides meals to the most vulnerable in the wake of global crisis. The Jewellery was loaned to the débutantes by V Muse Jewellery.

Archduchess Ildiko of Austria, Princess Lissie Selassie of Ethiopia, Countess Lara-Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, and Marchesa Barbara Berlingier were among the Débutantes.

The Cavaliers included Archduke Karl Konstantin of Austria, Prince Constantin d’Orleans, Marchese Alberto Berlingier, the Marquess of Lorne, Count Rodolphe de Hemricourt de Grunne, Count Ivan de Poligny, and Don Vittorio Ruffo di Calabria.

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Archduchess Ildiko of Austria, Princess of Hungary

Archduchess Ildiko of Austria, Princess of Hungary, the daughter of Archduke Georg of Austria and Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg, wore a petrol blue Alexis Mabille gown with a spectacular Tiara from the Orléans-Braganza Royal Family, which was auctioned at Christie’s in 2018.

Her cavalier was Prince Constantin d’Orleans.

Princess Lissie Sellassie of Ethiopia

Princess Lissie Selassie of Ethiopia, the great-great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, was in a billowing white Lanvin gown with bold, colourful jewellery by V MUSE.

Gregory Peck’s grandson, Harper, was her cavalier.

Countess Lara-Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck

Countess Lara-Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, the daughter of Oscar-winning film director Count Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, wore a Jean Paul Gaultier with the Couteulx Floral Diamond Tiara.

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Archduke Karl Konstantin of Austria, the brother of Archduchess Ildiko, was her cavalier.

Marchesa Barbara Berlingieri

Marchesa Barbara Berlingier paired her Giambattista Valli with a Ruby and Diamond Brooch/Hair Ornament from Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie de Bourbon Parme, that was auctioned in the ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family’ Sale at Sotheby’s in 2018. Her brother, Marquess Alberto, was her cavalier.

The Ruby and Diamond Bow was described by Archduchess Marie Anne:

a large diamond bow, a large ruby at the centre (from Bachruch). This bow was a gift from my father for the birth of my son, Charles

Countess Honor d’Andlau-Hombourg

Countess Honor d’Andlau-Hombourg, daughter of Count and Countess Marc d’Andlau-Hombourg, wore a Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Gown paired with the Diamond Earrings of Marie Thérèse de Savoie, Duchess of Parma, loaned by V Muse Jewellery, which has been auctioned in the ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family’ Sale at Sotheby’s in 2018, and had been worn by Archduchess Sophia von Habsburg last year. Her cavalier was her brother, Count Darius.

The Diamond Earrings were described:

A pair of large diamond earrings (of girandole design), each composed of five large diamonds and three large drops, in a dark blue leather case. These earrings come from Marie Thérèse de Savoie, Duchess of Parma, wife of Duke Charles II of Parma, and given to her grand-son, Robert I Duke of Parma

Pakistani Debutante Hannah Husain wore an Elie Saab Gown with the magnificent Orléans Emerald Necklace, which was worn by Princess Hélène d’Orléans at last year’s Le Bal. Hannah is the great, great granddaughter of Sir Fazle Husain, Barrister from Cambridge, Education Minister and founder of the Unionist party in India, which various members of her immediate family serving as diplomats.

Roxie Zhao wore an ombré dress by Franck Sorbier Haute Couture, paired with a Boucheron Art Deco Diamond Tiara/Necklace from Lady Anne Norman that was auctioned at Christie’s in 2018, which was worn by Princess Hélène d’Orléans at last year’s Le Bal.

Advaitesha Birla from one of India’s oldest business families wore a Sabyasachi dress with a Diamond Parure from Charles Ferdinand d’Artois, Duc de Berry which has been auctioned in the ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family’ Sale at Sotheby’s.

It was described by Archduchess Marie Anne:

A large diamond parure, in a dark blue velvet case, composed of two rows of diamonds, a row with drops, a brooch (13 diamonds including a very large one and three drops), a clasp (a large one and 10 smaller diamonds) and a pair of earrings. This parure comes from the sword of the Duke of Berry and was given by his daughter, Louis de France, Mademoiselle Duchesse de Parme, to her son Robert I, Duc de Parme

The diamonds of the first row, 38, and the clasp (large diamond framed with 10 smaller ones) are part of a large rivière with pendants. The 5 large diamonds (from Queen Marie Antoinette) and the pendant (large pear-shaped diamond, estate of my mother) can be worn independently.

Louisa Dub wore Ralph Lauren with a Diamond Pendant/Brooch, which was auctioned in the ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family’ Sale at Sotheby’s, and described by Archduchess Marie Anne:

Un baby blue velvet case with the monogram M.P. containing a large brooch with pendant set with diamonds, two intertwined C as the hoop. This brooch was given by Duke Charles II de Parme as a wedding gift to Duchess Marie Pie, and was then given to me as a wedding gift as well by my husband, Prince Elie, who had inherited it from his mother