Celebrating 40 Years of the Princess Grace Awards
The 40th Princess Grace Awards ceremony, held in New York at the Pierre Hotel, brought glamour and purpose to the evening of October 23, 2024. In celebration of the enduring mission of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, the event honored emerging and established talent in theater, dance, and film. Hosted in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the event paid tribute to the over 900 grants awarded by the Princess Grace Foundation since its inception in 1982 by Prince Rainier III in memory of his wife Princess Grace. Foundation President Diana Kemppainen reflected on its achievements, expressing pride in the Foundation's role in shaping countless artistic journeys.
“To honor the outstanding artistry and give-back of the legendary Michael Douglas and The Douglas Foundation at such a milestone event, marking the 40th anniversary for the Princess Grace Foundation, is extraordinary on so many levels. We are honored to host a legendary event celebrating luminaries whose giving will continue to foster future talent for generations to come.” – Diana Kemppainen, Princess Grace Foundation-USA President
Key moments
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was in attendance, supporting and reaffirming the Foundation’s important mission. H.S.H. Prince Albert II warmly addressed the gathering, reflecting on his mother’s vision to create opportunities for artists to excel and innovate. The evening’s pinnacle moment was the presentation of the prestigious Prince Rainier III Award to Hollywood royalty and Academy Award winner Michael Douglas in recognition of his storied contributions to film and his philanthropic impact. Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, herself a 2019 recipient of the Prince Rainier III Award, delivered an emotional tribute to Douglas before H.S.H Prince Albert II presented the statuette designed by Alex Soldier.
“His demonstrated life-long devotion to helping others throughout his accomplished career as an award-winning actor, and as a second-generation actor alongside his dad, Kirk Douglas is unparalleled. Michael and his family’s commitment to philanthropy echoes My family’s own commitment and I am delighted to present Michael Douglas with this year’s Prince Rainier III Award.” – H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
“What an incredible honor it is to be the recipient of this year's Prince Rainier III Award. I’ve always been a fan of Grace Kelly’s iconic screen work - as were my parents - and I cherished learning about my dad’s friendship with Princess Grace during their Hollywood days and beyond. I’m humbled to have had the opportunity to continue that family friendship with Prince Albert II of Monaco over the years. And so, to receive this esteemed award is extraordinarily special." – Michael Douglas, 2024 Prince Rainier III Award recipient
Performance highlights and live auction
Princess Grace Award winner Carly Hughes (Theater 2003) sang “I Wanna Go to Monaco,” a song famously performed by Liza Minnelli at the 1985 Princess Grace Award Gala. Hughes’ memorable rendition honored the achievements of the new Princess Grace Award winners while reminding the audience of the Foundation's lasting impact on artists' lives. A live auction, featuring the Cartier Grain de Café necklace, a spectacular modern re-edition of the historical creations worn by Princess Grace, emphasized the evening’s grandeur.
The awards ceremony
This year’s 40th anniversary gala recognized the 2023 and 2024 Princess Grace Award winners and Honoraria, with Adam Rapp (Playwriting 1999) presenting awards to the recipients. These artists now join a prestigious community of celebrated alumni whose careers were nurtured by the Foundation’s support. Among the highlights was the reintroduction of the Princess Grace Statue Award, a distinction reserved for exceptional artists who have achieved remarkable success and continue to make significant contributions to the arts. This year, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (Playwriting 2009) and Lila Neugebauer (Theater 2013) received this rare honor, adding their names to an elite list of influential artists. Both honorees were present at the ceremony, where they expressed deep gratitude for the Foundation’s support and reflected on the impact it has had on their artistic journeys.
Impact and legacy
The Princess Grace Foundation-USA’s unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and diversity has made it a benchmark in the arts world, and this year’s recipients embody the values of perseverance, innovation, and passion. The 40th Princess Grace Awards reaffirmed the Foundation’s dedication to the arts, leaving attendees inspired and hopeful for a future where emerging talent can continue to thrive with the legacy of Princess Grace as their guiding star.
“I feel incredibly proud of the work the Foundation has achieved over the past 40 years. Our community of Princess Grace Award winners continues to impress me, and I love knowing that the Foundation has played a small, important part of their artistic journey. It’s amazing to reflect on 40 years and think about those who built the Foundation: Prince Rainier III, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and key members of the artistic community, Eduardo Garcia, Barbara Horgan – who were all so forward- thinking in how to support artists and carry forward Princess Grace’s legacy.” – Diana Kemppainen, Princess Grace Foundation-USA President
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Photo credits: H.S.H Prince Albert, Michael Douglas, and Bernadette Peters (M. Alesi/Palais Princier), Branden Jacob-Jenkins, Lila Neugebauer, Carly Hughes, (by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images), group photo of award recipents (by Luiza Picora via Getty Images)
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