Le Bal des Débutantes attracts the best of high-society, with princesses and daughters of Dukes and Marquesses putting on a dazzling display in Paris each year.
The extravagant occasion, which was first held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958, sees 20 young ladies from some of the most prestigious – and richest – families in the world being introduced into society.
Among the array of stunning debutantes, who are hand-picked by the organisers and often accompanied by their wealthy parents, there have been some very familiar faces.
Royalty has included the late Princess Diana’s niece, Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Amelia Windsor, the granddaughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who is second cousin to King Charles, and Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, the second cousin once removed of the monarch.
But it’s not only aristocrats and royal socialites that dress to impress at the prestigious event, with Hollywood names and their nepo baby children often travelling to the French capital for the ball.
Previous celebrity debutantes have included Lily Collins, Demi Moore’s daughters Tallulah Willis and Scout LaRue Willis, who both attended with their father Bruce Willis in 2011 and 2009, respectively, as well as Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Ava Phillippe.
In 2017, Ava, the daughter of Reese and Ryan Phillippe, attended the exclusive event in a jaw-dropping Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown, accompanied by polo player, Maharaja of Jaipur Padmanabh Singh.
Ava later reflected on her experience on Instagram, writing: ‘Wow! I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, kind, supportive, and passionate young women (and men!) at Le Bal.’
Emily In Paris star Lily Collins was a debutante in 2007 (pictured left). Pictured right, Lily in September 2024
The 2024 Debuntantes are pictured. After descending down the hotel’s grand marble staircase (pictured), the debutantes took of the room, which was filled with proud parents and noble families
Emily In Paris star Lily, 35, daughter of singer Phil Collins, made her debut in 2007, accompanied by now Tatler editor Richard Dennen and wearing a stunning Chanel haute couture gown.
Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin’s eldest daughter Sophia Stallone, meanwhile, appeared at the 2012 Le Bal, while in 2009, Autumn Whitaker attended the occasion with her father Forest Whitaker.
The actor’s daughter True Whitaker, joined the annual event in 2018, while actress Carrie Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd was a debutante in 2008.
Other nepo babies of famous faces who have attended the ball include Leah Isadora Behn, daughter of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, and Delphine Arnault, daughter of Bernard Arnault, the founder, chairman and CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy).
Lauren Bush, niece of former US president George W. Bush, and Dree Hemingway, great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, also count themselves among the glamorous alumni.
This year, Apple Martin, the 20-year-old daughter of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, joined the prestigious list of debutantes.
This year’s event on Saturday night was held at the five-star Hotel Shangri-La, where rooms cost $1,000-a-night, and proceeds were divided between the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in the US and the cardiology research unit at Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital.
For their introduction into high society, the debutantes, who are hand-picked by the organisers, wore designer ball gowns from some of the world’s top fashion houses – including Chanel, Valentino and Oscar de la Renta.
For the event, the aspiring model Apple wore a bespoke baby blue strapless gown, which took 750 hours to create and was designed by Alessandro Michele – the creative director of Valentino.
Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Ava Phillipe (pictured right, recently) attended the exclusive event in a jaw-dropping Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown in 2017 (pictured left)
Lady Amelia Windsor attended the ball in 2013, pictured left. Pictured right, Amelia, the granddaughter of Prince Edward , Duke of Kent, who is second cousin to King Charles, in November 2024
Scout Larue Willis (pictured right, recently) attended the ball in 2008, pictured left, alongside her proud parents
After descending the hotel’s grand marble staircase, the debutantes took off into the room, which was filled with proud parents and noble families, before waltzing with their dates on the dance floor.
However, Chris Martin’s daughter – whose date was Austro-Hungarian aristocrat Leo Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck – wasn’t the only debutante at the ball with a Hollywood connection.
On Saturday night, Sophia Loren’s granddaughter Lucia Sofia Ponti, who lives in Los Angeles, also made her grand entrance into society.
During the glamorous event, Lucia – who is studying at Brown University – was accompanied by her date, Count Alberico di Carpegna Brivio, who is descended from Italian nobility.
Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Lucia opted for a strapless, tiered Giorgio Armani ballgown.
The Italian designer famously had a close working relationship with Sophia Loren during the height of her fame – and the Hollywood icon even wore a bespoke Armani suit for her 90th birthday celebrations in September.
Speaking to Hello! ahead of the ball, Lucia explained: ‘My grandmother always believed in timeless elegance and the importance of wearing something that reflects your true personality.
‘Growing up, she taught me the value of simplicity, tailoring and always adding a touch of originality to your outfit.’
Bruce Willis, Scout Larue Willis and Demi Moore during the 18th annual ball on November 29, 2008
Demi Moore, Tallulah Belle Willis and Ashton Kutcher during the 18th annual Paris ball in 2008, pictured left. Pictured right, Tallulah Belle Willis in November 2019
Countess Alienor Loppin de Montmort – who was the only debutante of French origin to attend the event – also took style inspiration from her grandmother ahead of the ball.
The young aristocrat wore a haute couture dress by Emmanuel Ungaro, which first belonged to her grandmother Myriam Laffon.
Meanwhile, Sophie Kodjoe – who is the daughter of And Just Like That’s Nicole Ari Parker – was elegant in a purple gown by Oscar de la Renta adorned with applique flowers.
Oona Finch is the granddaughter of legendary English-Australian actor Peter Finch, who was the first person to win an Oscar in an acting category posthumously. She wore a form-fitting lilac gown by Chanel for the ball.
Apollonie Halard, the daughter of Vogue contributor Miranda Brooks and architect and designer Bastien Halard, wore a pink satin gown by Italian label Schiaparelli.
Princess Eugenia de Borbon Vargas, who wore a shimmering gown by Carolina Herrera, is the daughter of Prince Luis Alfonso, Duc d’Anjou.
Had the French monarchy not been abolished in 1792, Prince Luis Alfonso would be in line for the throne.
The first Débutante Ball was held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958 and was picked up again in 1992. However, debutante balls date back to the 1780s.
Kyra Kennedy is the daughter of Robert Kennedy Jr. and great-niece to the late President John F. Kennedy. Pictured left, at the ball in 2013, and right, in September 2024, in Paris
Italian Countess Bianca Brandolini d’Adda poses prior to the 15th Annual Paris Haute-Couture Ball (Le Bal Des Debutantes) on November 26, 2005, pictured left. Pictured right, Bianca Brandolini D’Adda attends a red carpet for the movie Maria during the 81st Venice International Film Festival in August 2024
Lauren Bush, niece of former US president George W. Bush, at the ball in 2000, pictured left. Pictured right, Lauren Bush in November 2024
Bruce Willis with his daughter Scout LaRue Willis during the 18th annual ball in 2008
They served the purpose of introducing young women from the world’s most prominent families into society – thereby suggesting they were ready to enter the marriage market.
The young women who take part in Les Bal des Débutantes in Paris are chosen by organisers based on their achievements and family’s legacy before being paired with ‘cavaliers’, young men from equally privileged backgrounds.
This year’s event was held at Prince Roland Bonaparte’s former home, which has been transformed into a five-star hotel.
While it’s never been publicly stated what college Apple Martin goes to, or even what she studies, many believe she’s currently at Vanderbilt University studying English and Law, History, and Society.
However, many people were left shocked by her behaviour after a clip emerged of Apple stealing the spotlight from another debutante, who was having her picture taken.
The other debutante was seen taking her turn posing for the camera when Martin appeared from behind and sashayed into the shot.
Posing with her hands on her hips, Martin playfully edged her way into the frame – forcing the other girl out.
The debutante could do nothing but look on with an awkward laugh, as Martin proceeds to pout and pose for several photos.
