Maserati GB Supports the Revival Of Queen Charlotte's Ball

LONDON – September 24, 2009: 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.