PHOTOS: Inside the 2026 American Friends of Versailles Gala

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PHOTOS: Inside the 2026 American Friends of Versailles Gala

Saskia Connery and Peter Brant Jr. Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

“Versailles… exists as an unparalleled and final statement that may never be repeated,” the American Friends of Versailles said on its website. Yet for all its unity, like the ship of Theseus, the Château must be restored, little by little, to protect it from the ravages of time. Earlier this week, the organization’s annual exhibition, called A Legacy of Light and held inside Versailles itself, raised money for a particular piece of history: the famous Salon de Diane—one of the palace’s most painted ceilings. Charles Le Brun’s recently restored masterpiece from the reign of Louis XIV, untouched since the 1955 conservation round, is revealed on display in all its original beauty.

The French Minister of Culture was visible in the well-heeled crowd Catherine PegardAmerican ambassador to France Charles Kushner and Louvre President-director Christophe Leribaultonce Prince Charles (Carlo, Governor of Castro) again Princess Camilla de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles. Art, fashion and the world of design alike came out strongly, with the gallery artist Emmanuel Perrotina musician Jean-Michel Othonielthe star of the Paris Opera Hugo Marchanddesigners Harry Nuriev again Christian Louboutinart historian Diana Widmaier Picasso and jewelry David Yurman present, and a long list of philanthropists and social workers, including Becca Cason Thrash, Peter Brant Jr. again Tracey Amon.

The black-tie evening, which also celebrates 250 years of America and the French allies who made freedom possible, began with cocktails and conversation in the Hall of Mirrors before dinner at the Galerie des Batailles, cleverly arranged by the stars. Lucas Somoza. Paddle round led by a dealer Lydia Fenet raised more than 3.5 million euros in just 20 minutes, with the worst of the lot including a private cruise along the Nile River for eight guests, a 2023 painting by Hunt Slonem. Monsoon Aftermatheight nights for six VIP guests at the Baraza Resort Spa in Tanzania and a trip to France with exclusive private tours of the Louvre, Notre Dame, Champagne and, the environmentVersailles. The highlight of the evening, however, was David Yurman’s stunning one-of-a-kind Liberty Cable bracelet with over 25 carats of diamonds, which sold for $260,000, making the room the loudest of the night. “It’s unusual for me to leave the stage during an auction, but David Yurman asked me to wear a custom diamond bracelet that he gave me to celebrate,” Fenet told the Observer. “When the bidding reached $250,000 for the bracelet—about $80,000 over the asking price—I walked off the stage and, with a wink, placed the bracelet on the seller’s wrist.” So the under-seller was encouraged to make a final bid and, voila, the bauble was his.

More than a lavish gala, A Legacy of Light was the final stop on the American Friends of Versailles’ four-day tour of private tours, special events and parties, culminating with a raucous party at the Galerie Basse. But, as Fenet reminds us, this was a soiree with substance. “We were able to fully fund the restoration of the great roof at Versailles, which was the purpose of this whole thing.”