Princess Charlene sparkles at Monaco's Red Cross Ball

(CBS) Princess Charlene of Monaco made her debut as royal hostess at the 63rd Red Cross Ball at the Sporting Monte-Carlo on Friday.

It is the first gala event the princess has attended in Monaco since she married the principality's ruler, Prince Albertt II, in a ceremony-filled weekend on July 1 and 2.

Pictures: The Red Cross Ball
Pictures: The royal wedding
Special section: Monaco's royal wedding

The 33-year-old former South African swimmer was dressed in a vibrant fuchsia strapless gown by Akris with a fishtail hem. She wore her blonde hair long but swept back from her face.

Around her neck was a gift from Prince Albert, the Ocean necklace, created just for her by Van Cleef & Arpels. The diamond and sapphire necklace, studded with 1,200 gems, converts to a tiara.

The Parisian jewelry maker has also designed a collection in honor of the princess and donated a set from that collection to the Red Cross for the Monaco ball.

One of the highlights of the Monaco social calendar, the Red Cross gala was attended by 800 people including the princess' brother, Gareth Wittstock, and the prince's sisters, Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie.

Rocker Joe Cocker performed at the dinner-dance, in a room decorated in shades of hot pink, white and gold.