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INQUIRER EXCLUSIVE TNT Trends and Trendings : Crystal glitters and social sparklers in Monaco

First posted 05:58am (Mla time) Nov 27, 2005
By Anton San Diego
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page C1 of the November 27, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

EVERY TWO YEARS, MONTE Carlo throws a big exclusive party, the Prince’s Trust Ball, which is a fundraiser for the Prince’s Trust Foundation headlined by Prince Charles.

The Prince’s Trust Foundation is a UK-based charity that seeks to help young people (ages 14-30) overcome barriers in their life via training, mentoring and financial assistance.

The recent three-day event had so many highlights I’m not sure where to start. Here’s a sample: Helicopter ride from Nice to Monte Carlo, a three-night stay at über-luxe hotel L’Hermitage, lunch at a massive yacht where Jon Bon Jovi was staying and where celebrities as well as noteworthy fashion personalities popped in for the lunch—Vivienne Westwood, Tommy Hilfiger, Victor & Rolf, and Il Divo, to name a few.

When the hosts said the super yacht’s rent was $120,000 a day, I almost fell off the couch. I asked who rented it besides rock stars. “Russians and Saudi Arabian royalty,” came the answer.
One sheik reportedly rented it for more than a month. He could have easily bought the ship, but was just content to rent it.

And this is the whole spirit of Monte Carlo, the Disneyland for the wealthy, where 20-year-olds drive around in their Maseratis, and older types guzzle champagne like it’s water.

At lunch, I saw Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Tommy Hilfiger talking, so I introduced myself to see if I could make conversation. (In my mind I was thinking, “What do these famous people talk about?”).

I came in at mid-sentence as Bon Jovi was asking Tommy Hilfiger, “How is your place in the Hamptons?” The line hit me like a splash of cold water. I immediately sat down after hearing that. Way too much out of my league!