It's the highlight of the Monaco social calendar but where were Princess Charlene and Prince Albert? Guests question their absence as Charlotte Casiraghi and Beatrice wow at the Rose Ball 

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Monaco is renowned for its glitz and glamour, and its high society residents certainly did not disappoint at last night's annual Rose Ball.

Charlotte Casiraghi, 30, the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and the late Stefano Casiraghi, an Italian industrialist, left the glamour along with her brother Pierre's wife Beatrice. 

However, her uncle Prince Albert and his wife Charlene were notably absent from proceedings, despite attending the Sainte Devote rugby tournament in Monte-Carlo earlier in the day. 

Although Charlene has missed the ball to remain at home with her young children, twins Jaques and Gabriella, for the past two years, Albert has always been a regular fixture and only missed out due to a family bereavement several years ago. 

Last night, however, he left it up to the younger members of the royal clan to represent the family at one of the most important social events of the year. 

Pierre Casiraghi, Beatrice Borromeo and Charlotte Casiraghi arrive at the Rose Ball 2017 To Benefit The Princess Grace Foundation at Sporting Monte-Carlo

The couple would usually be the centre of attention in previous years, kicking off proceedings by leading the first dance.  

Despite the absence of the royal couple, there was no shortage of glamour with Charlotte wowing in a plunging black dress with a nude panel covered in intricate floral patterns.

The show jumper, who grew up in the south of France and Paris gave her look a gothic edge with a slash of red lipstick, while her sister-in-law Beatrice also wowed in a dark navy dress with glittering embellishment. 

The new mother, who gave birth to a son on 28 February, was showing no hint of sleepless nights as she joined her husband for their first public appearance since the baby's arrival. 

Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of attended the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament in Monte Carlo yesterday, but skipped the annual Rose Ball, one of the most important dates in the social calendar 

Victoria Silvstedt put on a show stopping appearance in a red lace dress with sheer panel at the Rose Ball 2017

Charlotte Casiraghi was joined by the actress Juliette Maillot who has been friends with the royal since childhood

Beatrice Borromeo, Pierre Casiraghi, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Karl Lagerfeld and Charlotte Casiraghi pose for a photo ahead of the Roe Ball  

The couple have been enjoying their first weeks as parents privately and have yet to release a photo of the baby or share his name.  

Caroline's sons, Andrea Casiraghi and Pierre Casiraghi, also looked dapper for the occasion and sported traditional tuxedos. 

Family friend Karl Lagerfeld designed this year's ball which was themed around the Viennese Secession, an art movement formed in 1897 by a group of Austrian artists.

Prince Albert and his then girlfriend Charlene hitting the dancefloor at the Rose Ball in 2009, before they were married. The couple were at one point the ball's star attraction

Charlene and Albert, pictured at the Rose ball in 2012, used to kick off the event 

The Chanel designer, 83, was seen hitting the dancefloor alongside the other guests, although he didn't remove his trademark black sunglasses all night. 

Actress Juliette Maillot, who is a lifelong friend of Charlotte Casiraghi, also brought a touch of class to the proceedings.

The star, like her friend, opted for the gothic look in a long black dress with daring sheer panels, while model Victoria Silvstedt was eye catching in a long red lace gown with

Charlotte added a gothic edge to her look with dark nails, smokey eye makeup and red lips 

New mother Beatrice Borromeo was showing no hint of sleepless nights as she put on a glamorous display at Monaco's Rose Ball 

Charlotte Casiraghi and Juliette Maillot dance during the onstage entertainment 

Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld was seen catching up with new mother Beatrice Borromeo and her husband Pierre

Prince Serge of Yugoslavia and his wife Eleonora, Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz as well as Princess Caroline of Hanover, who arrived on the arm of Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.  

The Rose Ball was first thrown in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, the American actress who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

The event is currently presided over by the Sovereign Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline of Hanover and the funds raised go towards the Princess Grace Foundation, which assists young artists by providing scholarships.

It's named the Rose Ball as a nod to the late star's favourite flowers.

Prince Albert and his sisters Stephanie and Caroline are said to personally oversee the guest list of around 1,000 high society figures who pay 800 euro per ticket.  

Karl Lagerfeld's personal assistant Sebastien Jondeau sat alongside Charlotte Casiraghi

Karl Lagerfeld is a regular at the event, but declined to take off his sunglasses even as the lights dimmed on the dancefloor 

Charlotte Casiraghi, actress Mona Walravens and Karl Lagerfeld got into the party spirit while watching the on stage entertainment 

Beatrice Borromeo enjoys a dance with her husband Pierre Casiraghi on their first night out since their birth of their son in February 

Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, editor in chief of Vogue Arabia, stunned in a pink velvet cape 

Fabienne Bazire, Nicolas Bazire and Guilaine Chenu were among the well heeled guests and the charity event

erge of Yougoslavia and his wife Eleonora of Yougoslavia (left) and Jacky Ickx and his wife Khadja Nin (right) attend the Rose Ball 2017 To benefit The Princess Grace Foundation

The 2017 Monaco Rose Ball celebrates the Viennese Secession, an art movement from Austria that flourished in Vienna between 1892 and 1906