In the annals of history, few weddings have captured the world’s imagination as much as the union of Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. in 1956. This grand and lavish affair, often referred to as the “wedding of the century,” continues. to be a symbol of timeless elegance and royal splendor. Let’s take a deeper dive into the unforgettable wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier and its lasting impact on Monaco and the world.
The iconic wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier
The glamor of Grace Kelly, a renowned Hollywood actress, was already well-established before her marriage to Prince Rainier. Her stellar performances in films like ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Dial M for Murder’ earned her worldwide recognition. Born in Philadelphia, Grace was selected to represent the American delegation at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 1955, which eventually played a key role in her trip to Monaco.
It was during this visit to the French Riviera that Grace had the fateful opportunity to meet Prince Rainier at his iconic palace. This chance meeting marked the beginning of their secret correspondence, which grew into a deep connection, culminating in their engagement later that year. Preparations for their lavish wedding were set in motion, requiring adherence to both the Roman Catholic Church and the Napoleonic Code of Monaco, which mandated both civil and religious ceremonies.
She was given the opportunity to meet the prince at his famous home and travel to the neighboring microstate of Monaco, which borders France. This meeting marked the beginning of their secret correspondence, which later that year led to their engagement and the start of preparations for their lavish wedding.
The Roman Catholic Church and the Napoleonic Code of Monaco required two rituals: civil and religious ceremonies. In order to host the civil ceremony and the dinner that followed, Monaco Palace underwent a comprehensive renovation.
An estimated 30 million people watched the holy rite, which was officiated by the Bishop of Monaco, Gilles Barthe, on international television. One of the two wedding dresses Grace Kelly wore was a gorgeous piece that took an amazing three weeks to make.
Also in attendance was Aristotle Onassis, aka Mr. Jackie Kennedy, and well-known entertainers including David Niven, Cary Grant, Gloria Swanson, and Ava Gardner. The bride unexpectedly decided to stay in America for wedding preparations.
The ocean liner SS Constitution was used by Grace Kelly and her company for spectacular trips to their many meetings. In New York, the bride, her family, six bridesmaids, 80 pieces of luggage, a poodle, and a crowd of excited reporters and photographers boarded the ship.
Despite more than 400 applications, only a few journalists were selected to participate in this excursion. Aristotle Onassis’ jet soared overhead, showering red and white flowers on the crowd below, providing a spectacular spectacle for those unable to board the ship.
Prince Albert recalled the incident: “My mother often reminisced about the whole journey about the Constitution.” She raved about the wedding festivities and how it brought her Philadelphia friends and relatives together.
She spoke fondly of Oliver, a French poodle given to her by Cary Grant, her co-star in Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief,” the author continued.
Grace Kelly’s arrival in Monaco was more spectacular than her departure, with 1,800 photographers on hand to capture the historic moment. The tasks that needed to be completed before the wedding were equally demanding. My father said that going through all the pageantry, planning and preparation was quite stressful.
However, the careful preparation paid off and Monaco launched an eight-day celebration that is considered one of the most spectacular celebrity gatherings of the twentieth century.
On this historic day, a lavish event including outdoor entertainment and breathtaking fireworks was held at the recently renovated palace. Forty foreign delegations participated.
A civil ceremony was held the following day in the throne room of the palace. Grace Kelly wore the first dress designed by MGM, a stunning two-piece set made of pale pink taffeta trimmed with champagne-colored French Alencon lace.
Grace spent another 25 minutes receiving her 140 new titles as Princess of Monaco after a ceremony that lasted barely 16 minutes.
The newlyweds had to reconstruct their wedding customs to accommodate the news crews.
The second ceremony took place in the magnificent St. Nicholas Cathedral the following day. Grace captured the attention of 30 million people when she appeared in a gorgeous outfit composed of 150 yards of silk, taffeta, and tulle accented by 300 yards of ancient Belgian lace.
Instead of a traditional tiara, the princess-to-be chose a Juliet Cap to keep her veil in place. To keep her face visible to the cameras, 90 yards of tulle, her shoes, and Juliet’s cap were delicately pearl-embellished.
She opted for 2 15 15-inch stilettos since Grace and Rainier were both about the same height. According to Tatler, the shoes, which were made by David Evins, had Prince Rainier’s name written on the right shoe and Grace’s name on the left.
The heels were decorated with pearls, lace, and a copper penny as a charm and gesture of congratulations.
The magnificent wedding ensemble required three weeks of painstaking work by 36 talented seamstresses. Grace Kelly walked into the cathedral, radiating all the virtues of a true princess, and the tailors were proud of her.
Decades later, Kelly’s stunning wedding dress continues to serve as a model for today’s princesses. This garment is quite similar to Kate Middleton’s stunning lace wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
A tour of Grace Kelly’s gorgeous wedding dress, currently on display at the esteemed Philadelphia Museum of Art, allows visitors to admire the garment fueling the imagination of future princesses.
In 1956, brides often carried Bibles down the aisle rather than bouquets of flowers during wedding ceremonies. Grace was given a Bible which was laced, mother of pearl, and silk trimmed in accordance with this custom. She carried a holy book of lilies of the valley, demonstrating her unwavering devotion to tradition.
Royal brides love the perennial and gorgeous lilies of the valley even today.
Prince Rainier was nervous during the ceremony and Grace helped him put the ring on his finger. Throughout, she maintained a calm demeanor and captivated millions of viewers.
The ceremony ended with the usual sacrifice of St. Michael. After a special banquet in honor of the Devoted, the patron saint of Monaco, 600 people showed up. The sumptuous buffet, which included caviar, lobsters, and champagne, was loved by all.
The gorgeous wedding cake, estimated to cost more than £10,000 in total, featured two real lovebirds as a special touch. The groom ceremoniously cut the cake with a sword as beautiful lovebirds were released to symbolize fidelity, trust, and enduring love. There was also a music box that gave life to the cake.
After the celebrations, the Prince and Princess embarked on a seven-week honeymoon aboard Prince Rainier’s magnificent yacht, the Deo Juvante II. They took a well-deserved break as they docked near Monaco’s gorgeous coastline after a flurry of events.
The honeymoon formally began the next day, and they left behind a treasure trove of souvenirs and photographs that would last far beyond their own lives.
Their fantasy continued unabated until Grace Kelly’s tragic death in a car accident on September 14, 1982, at the age of 52. After her death, Prince Rainier devoted himself to his career and remained single. The year he died was 2005.
The wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. it was not just the union of two individuals; it was a spectacle that defined an era. This iconic event, with its grandeur, elegance, and fairytale romance, remains etched in the collective memory of generations. Grace Kelly’s journey from Hollywood star to real-life princess continues to inspire and captivate.
As we look back at the wedding of the century, we are reminded that love knows no bounds and dreams can come true. The love story of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier endures as a testament to the enduring power of love and the magic of fairy tales in the real world.