Prince Albert II of Monaco receives the Order of the 14th Dresden Semper Opera Ball. The head of the Monegasque Princely House is honored for his commitment to sport, his commitment to environmental protection and his charitable work, said the ball club on Friday. "As Head of State of a Mediterranean country and a passionate winter sportsman, he has shown what is possible with commitment, will and perseverance," said club chairman Hans-Joachim Frey.

Four times he represented his country as a bobsleigh athlete at the Olympics and was started for a country without its own bobsled run, ice and snow. Prince Albert II was a motivator for those who wanted to make the impossible possible - not just in sports, Frey said.

The Monegasse wants to come to Dresden on February 1, 2019 to receive the Order of St. George. The Order is a replica of a jewel from the Green Vault. It is awarded every year in varying numbers of celebrities.

The 14th edition of the Semperoper ball is under the motto "Fascination Dresden - dreams come true". Among the guests is ballet star Svetlana Zakharova. The musical director is Italian Massimo Zanetti.