Princess Charlene Presents Socrates Prize at 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris

Princess Charlene of Monaco made a notable solo appearance at the 69th Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris, where she presented the prestigious Socrates Award. The award, established in 2022, honors football players and clubs who use the sport to make a positive social impact, reflecting values of solidarity and humanitarian efforts. This year, the award was given to the Xana Foundation, founded by PSG coach Luis Enrique in memory of his daughter Xana, who passed away from a rare cancer; the foundation supports critically ill children and their families. Princess Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer and advocate for youth development through sports, highlighted the importance of sports as more than an activity, emphasizing passion, dedication, and the educational role of sports for youth. She wore an elegant white Elie Saab gown and expressed her and Prince Albert’s shared commitment to promoting the values of sports. The Ballon d'Or ceremony also celebrated football’s connection to French luxury fashion, with Louis Vuitton designing the official trophy trunk, underscoring the event's blend of sport and style.