The prestigious Royal Versailles Ball was held at the Palace of Versailles in France on the 21st of May 2022. Royal cheer and praise abound the historic occasion as guests gathered for private access to the Château, a private concert by Yury Revich (playing the $36 million Stradivarius violin “Princess Aurora) in the Hall of Mirrors, lavish dinners, a live auction, and plenty of dancing. Proceeds from the event, which was supported by the governments of Great Britain and France, benefited UNICEF UK, Street Child, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
A host of royal guests were in full attendance, including Her Imperial Highness Princess Napoléon and His Imperial Highness Prince Napoléon, Her Royal Highness Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma, and His Royal Highness The Prince of Turnovo. In addition, various esteemed guests also made an appearance at the royal event like Her Excellency Dame Menna Rawlings, Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, along with some well-known celebrities, billionaires, diplomats, and dignitaries.
Honorary guests, including the well-renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Dani Stephenson, graced the royal occasion. Chairwoman of the Royal Versailles Ball, Antonia Da Silva Teixeira, formally announced Stephenson as a Patron, Guest of Honor, and Distinguished member of British society for the royal event. Dani Stephenson stood alongside fellow Patrons, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, His Grace Duke of Kent, His Grace Duke of Fife, The Right Honorable Lord Winston, and British composer Debbie Wiseman OBE.
The announcement came as no surprise as Dani Stephenson has built a pristine reputation for being an award-winning entertainment executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist in his own right. The esteemed guest of honor has worked in the entertainment industry for over 17 years, garnering multiple accolades to his name such as Grammy’s, Brit’s, Emmy’s, and Billboard Awards in recognition of his achievements in the industry.
Dani Stephenson’s professional career spans multiple sectors in the industry, including Music, Film, Fine Art, Television, Technology Innovation, and Fund Management. His voluntary work began in 2001, over two decades of helping thousands of people through various communities and charity initiatives.
In 2015, Dani Stephenson created his own charitable organization called Straight Forward Giving. The organization offers voluntary support to charitable organizations all across the United Kingdom and the international community. Stephenson’s charity work focuses on helping underprivileged youth find a voice through empowerment. Straight Forward Giving grants impoverished communities access to education and mentorship through music, film, and art to facilitate social mobility.
Dani Stephenson at 10 Downing Street
Dani Stephenson was awarded the Points Of Light honor by the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the 8th of February 2022. The award was given to Stephenson in light of his outstanding voluntary efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. On the 4th of June 2022, he also received a Platinum Champion honor from Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen for his exceptional voluntary service. The honor is a prestigious award given to the most impactful individuals in the world who are using their influence and platform for the greater good.
Dani Stephenson was one of 490 nominees hand-picked by a judging panel of esteemed individuals such as Ade Adepitan MBE, Gyles Brandreth, Elaine Paige OBE, Felicity Kendal CBE, Julie Siddiqi MBE, and Myleene Klass. The Platinum Champions Awards were created by the Royal Voluntary Service, of which Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is president, to celebrate the 70-year reign of Her Majesty The Queen, who is also the patron of the charity. The Duchess of Cornwall crowned Dani Stephenson Platinum Champion in honor of Her Majesty The Queen and the great example she has set in her 70 years of service.
The renowned entrepreneur’s patronage with The Royal Versailles Ball is a means to push his advocacies and raise awareness and funds for its many charities. The Ball was held in celebration of the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s visit to Versailles at the invitation of Emperor Napoleon III in 1855 and the resultant Cobden Chevalier Treaty, deemed the first modern international trade agreement.
The Royal Versailles Ball was hosted with the support of both the British and French governments, attended by esteemed individuals from 46 different countries and nine royal families. This was the first official Royal Ball since the French Revolution, the first British white tie Ball ever to be held in the Palace, and the first time anyone would have reeled at Versailles since 1855. Dani Stephenson’s attendance has cemented his place as an influential figure in the global community, allowing him to spread his positive message to the world on an even grander scale.