World Auto News & Reviews

The UK’s first drive of the Maserati GranCabrio in 2010 was won in a charity ball auction undertaken during the revival of the Queen Charlotte’s Ball. Said Queen Charlotte founded the Ball over 250 years ago to raise funds for mothers and babies. The Ball went back to London after a 12-year absence. The event marks the traditional “coming out” ceremony also known as the Debutante Ball which was also used to mark the beginning of the season.

Beautiful young ladies wearing Pronovias white gowns entered the Durbar Court venue in chauffeur driven Maserati Quattroportes. Their Mikimoto diamonds and pearls made them look even more radiant. HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, HH Princess Olga Romanov and Their Graces The Duke and Duchess of Somerset were there to receive the classy girls.Maserati GB and its London distributor HR OWEN Sports Cars supported the Ball during which £60,000 was raised. The money is earmarked for the Wolfston and Weston Research Centre for Family Health at the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital site of Imperial College London. About £500,000 a year is needed to help in the research of premature birth, miscarriage and infertility, so if you can donate a little bit go ahead.

Press Release:

MASERATI GB SUPPORTS THE REVIVAL OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE’S BALL

Maserati GB and its London retailer HR OWEN Sports Cars were extremely proud to support the revival of the Queen Charlotte’s Ball, returning to London for the first time in 12 years.

The Ball was founded over two hundred and fifty years ago by Queen Charlotte with the help of the debutantes of the time to raise funds for mothers and babies through the hospital later called Queen Charlotte’s Hospital: it was the traditional “coming out” ceremony that once heralded the beginning of the season.

Today the London Season, chaired by Mrs David Hallam-Peel, supports Lord Winston and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in the research to help premature birth, miscarriage and infertility.

Durbar Court, the “Jewel of Whitehall”, was the chosen venue for the event and the Debutantes arrived in chauffeur driven Maserati Quattroporte cars. Dressed in stunning Pronovias white gowns and wearing diamonds and pearls by Mikimoto, they entered Durbar Court in a traditional procession and were presented to HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, HH Princess Olga Romanov and Their Graces The Duke and Duchess of Somerset.

The Charity Auction, which included the first drive of the Maserati GranCabrio when it arrives in the UK next year, was brilliantly conducted by Lord Dalmeny and raised sixty thousand pounds in support of the Wolfston and Weston Research Centre for Family Health at the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital site of Imperial College London.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE’S APPEAL - MISSION STATEMENT

The new Queen Charlotte’s Appeal will support one of the largest dedicated teams of doctors and scientists in Britain to conduct innovative and vital research that will, to some extent, affect every man, woman and child in this country. The Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health at the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital site of Imperial College London is unequalled in Europe but we desperately need to raise £500,000 a year to ensure that the research into the successful prevention and treatment of these life-shattering conditions continues.

The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trust - Reg. Charity 292518

For more information on the London Season and its charitable work please visit www.londonseason.net