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The 2003 Hugues Capet Party took place on 25 November 2003, in the Cercle de l'Union Interalliee drawing rooms, in Paris, next to Palais de l'Elysee, with full contingents of A-list Europeans. The evening was held in commemoration of Madame la Comtesse de Paris, deceased on 5 July 2003, who had been for 10 years the wonderful chairwoman of the Hugues Capet Jury.
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The Jury discussions, now chaired by H.R.H Princess Beatrice de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, were very lively. The prestigious members of the Jury finally decided, after two and a half hours of debate, and five polls, to award this year's price to Professeur Jean de Viguerie for its outstanding "Louis XVI, the benevolent King", published by Editions du Rocher.
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Son Altesse Royale la Princesse Béatrice de Bourbon des Deux Siciles,
nouvelle Présidente du Jury du Prix Hugues Capet
et Jacques-Henri Auclair, Président de l'Association Unité Capétienne
et créateur du Prix en 1994.
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A cocktail party was then hosted in Salons de Beaumont, gathering all of Paris' aristocracy, royals and intellectuals. President Jacques-Henri Auclair paid a first tribute to Madame la Comtesse de Paris, and H.R.H Princess Beatrice de Bourbon-Siciles had the pleasure to announce the name of the price's winner to press and guests.
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At 20.40, the dinner was served in the wonderful Salons Foch, and, this year again, the atmosphere was particularly warm and friendly. Princess Beatrice, in her speech, thanked the guest for their fidelity across the years, announced the Association's future projects, and paid a respectful tribute to Madame la Comtesse de Paris. All the guests then stood up for a silent minute in tribute for Madame. Later on in the evening, our friend, Eve Ruggieri, also told us her charming, private memories with Madame la Countesse of Paris.
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Maitre Pierre Cornette de Saint-Cyr and President Auclair finally animated the now traditional drawze in favour of disabled children. The main winners were HRH Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orleans (Diamand Carven watch) and Comte de Dampierre (8-day stay in a five-star spa in Tunisia).
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We also want to thank particularly Baroness Pierre Grouvel and Madam Ariel Ricaud-Barsi who have been so kind as to offer Givenchy perfumes to all guests of this fabulous evening.
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The next friendly meeting of the Association will take place in January 2004 at Pierre Cardin's Maxim's Residence in Paris, for a party specially held in honour of Professeur Jean de Viguerie and sponsored by H.R.H Prince Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, Duke of Calabre and Grand Prefect of the Sacred and Military Saint-Georges' Constantinian Order.
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