The guts it would take to marry a real-life European Prince.
It would mean leaving all you know – your home, your family, your country.
In 1956, when she was 26 years old, actress Grace Kelly left Hollywood to marry Rainier III, Prince of Monaco – a marriage that lasted until her death in 1982.
It was referred to as The Wedding of the Century. Even though she appeared in only 11 Hollywood films, Grace Kelly was an Oscar Winner and sartorially influential*, which kind of made her American royalty. When she met Rainier, she was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.
A new documentary on her life, Grace Kelly: Precious Memories (2021), says her wedding is still Talked About. Kelly’s gown was designed by Hollywood costume designer Helen Rose, and it was the most expensive dress Rose ever created, with 25 yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net. The bodice was made of 125-year-old Brussels lace embroidered with seed pearls.
Kelly and Rainier met in 1955 when she attended that year’s Cannes Film Festival. Precious Memories says a meeting between the two was suggested by actress Olivia de Havilland, that scamp, who was, apparently, travelling on the same train as Kelly.
It was well known that Prince Rainier was in the market for a wife, and Precious Memories says even Marilyn Monroe was intrigued. However, when he and Kelly met, there was Instant Attraction.
The two corresponded for a year. “The press glamorized their courtship, depicting it as a true fairy-tale romance,” notes the documentary. The film includes footage from a press conference where Grace says she’s “a little sad” to be leaving America, but insists she’s very happy.
Grace Kelly: Precious Memories is not a sordid exposé of Hollywood or Monaco. Although the film admits Kelly “struggled with the pressures of Hollywood,” it doesn’t provide details. Its purpose is to introduce us to the much-photographed Kelly and her remarkable life.
Now, you could argue Kelly had advantages not available to everyone – wealth, beauty, opportunity – which made it easier to lead such a life.
Her parents, however, weren’t always On Board with her choices. They didn’t like her decision to become an actress, and they were Unimpressed by Rainier’s status as Prince.
They were even less impressed with the $2M US Monégasque dowry requirement, but they did agree to pay half, which was Kelly’s share of the family inheritance. Kelly herself paid the other half.
In return, Rainier gave Kelly an emerald-cut diamond engagement ring (10.47 carats!) that she wore in her last film, High Society (1956).
Yet, even in 1956, Kelly’s father said he felt his eldest daughter, Peggy, would be the Successful One** in the family.
Although Kelly remained committed to Acting Retirement – not even Alfred Hitchcock was successful in enlisting her to play the lead in Marnie (1964) – she did join the board of the Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, as one of its first female board members.
Instead, says Precious Memories, she focused on raising her three children and her philanthropic work. She was the patron saint of the Monaco Red Cross, and founded World Association of Children’s Friends (AMADE Mondiale), an organization dedicated to protecting children worldwide.
She was also an expert on flowers, as it turns out. She made pressed-flower collages and arrangements, some of which showed at the Galerie du Monde in Paris, while others were featured on postage stamps. She also co-wrote My Book of Flowers, published in 1980.
Precious Memories is a loving look at Grace Kelly, using dozens of photographs (and new-to-us footage) to document her life.
Is this film sentimental and romanticized? You bet it is, and we adore it for that reason.
In fact, we felt a bit emotional when the film detailed the inevitable: The 1982 car accident in Côte d’Azur that claimed Kelly’s life. (Ironically, this was the same cliff-side road Kelly was nervous about navigating while filming Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief in 1955.)
Her funeral was attended by luminaries such as Lady Diana and Cary Grant. James Stewart gave the eulogy, noting, “She was just about the nicest lady I ever met.”
As for Prince Rainier, one of Europe’s longest-reigning monarchs, he was not the same man after Kelly’s death. He never remarried and was buried alongside Kelly in the Cathedral of our Lady Immaculate – the same cathedral where an American film star married a European prince.
♥
Notes
Disclosure: EM Productions sent us a link to view this documentary in exchange for an unbiased review.
*The legendary Hermès Kelly Handbag was popularized by Princess Grace who carried one over her stomach to hide an early baby bump. (Bonus: Check out the story behind the Kelly-inspired Gucci floral print HERE.)
**Grace’s older brother, John B. Kelly, Sr., was a triple Olympic gold-medal-winning rower, and her uncle, George Kelly, was a successful vaudevillian and playwright.
Grace Kelly: Precious Memories – Narrated by Lucy Brown. Written & directed by Lucy Ciara McCutcheon. EM Productions, 2021, B&W and Colour, 51 mins.
Beautiful article. Though I love some of her films, including Rear Window, Country Girl and High Society, her greatest role was as Princess Grace of Monaco. Marnie is not my favorite Hitchcock film by a long shot, but probably Grace would have brought the role a little more mystery and elegance. She really was was one of the screen’s truly flawless beauties…
Agreed. It would’ve been interesting to see her in the role of Marnie for the reasons you mentioned. And I love Grace in High Society. Time to see it again.
She must have been put under very big pressure in her life, from many fronts and in different forms, so we can be sure that she was really a determined, strong and proud just like she appears on the screen. She was just simply irresistible, she lightened every set she was in, even if her role was often the opposite one, the girl too long ignored and underestimated: so she was twice a wonderful actress, for me.
You’re right – she did brighten every scene she was in. And she must have been a strong person – they say Princess Diana looked up to her as a mentor. There’s a story that she comforted the young Diana in the ladies restroom when Di was in tears at an event. Apparently, Kelly patted her on the cheek and said, “Don’t worry, dear. It only gets worse from here.”
It’s interesting you note first and foremost the courage it would take to marry a European prince. Most people would decide it was a fantasy come true for Grace Kelly and others who’ve followed her path, rather than a burden and responsibility. One of the things I’ve always admired is the quietly sardonic humor she brings to many of the characters she portrays in her films.
I love your description “quietly sardonic humor” – well said. I’ve always admired her film career and the fortitude to start a new life of public service in Monaco.
I found that Princess Grace matched her name, adding grace and elegance to everything she did. I always thought her and Prince Rainer were a love match and this was what allowed her to adjust to her new life in Monaco. As I’m not a fan of horror or thriller genres so, the film I liked Princess Grace in was Philadelphia Story and to this day, it is one of those films I won’t mind seeing a second time.
Goodness… you are right. Grace Kelly did High Society and Katherine Hepburn starred in Philadelphia Story. I liked both those films. Now that you mentioned it, I have seen The Country Girl. It was a real drama and I don’t remember much of it, except a touching scene between Grace Kelly and Bing Cosby.
I know there is a Grace Kelly biopic out there with Cheryl Ladd as Grace and Ian McShane as her Prince. It sounds fantastic but not sure if it has Olivia in it.
Thank you so much for this interesting post! I didn’t know about this new documentary, I must look it up. I think Grace Kelly was one of the most beautiful and stylish women in Hollywood, apart from being a very talented actress. Just a shame she quitted cinema, but she didn’t have a choice if she wanted to marry the man she loved.
A new documentary on Grace Kelly, count me in! Thanks for the info, Ruth. Have you read The Bridesmaids by Judith Balaban Quine? The author was one of Grace’s bridesmaids. I began the book but never finished. What I do remember is the clear picture that was painted of Grace as a lovely friend and woman. I need to pick it up again sometime and finish.
Silver Screenings 
Beautiful article. Though I love some of her films, including Rear Window, Country Girl and High Society, her greatest role was as Princess Grace of Monaco. Marnie is not my favorite Hitchcock film by a long shot, but probably Grace would have brought the role a little more mystery and elegance. She really was was one of the screen’s truly flawless beauties…
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Agreed. It would’ve been interesting to see her in the role of Marnie for the reasons you mentioned. And I love Grace in High Society. Time to see it again.
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She must have been put under very big pressure in her life, from many fronts and in different forms, so we can be sure that she was really a determined, strong and proud just like she appears on the screen. She was just simply irresistible, she lightened every set she was in, even if her role was often the opposite one, the girl too long ignored and underestimated: so she was twice a wonderful actress, for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right – she did brighten every scene she was in. And she must have been a strong person – they say Princess Diana looked up to her as a mentor. There’s a story that she comforted the young Diana in the ladies restroom when Di was in tears at an event. Apparently, Kelly patted her on the cheek and said, “Don’t worry, dear. It only gets worse from here.”
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It’s interesting you note first and foremost the courage it would take to marry a European prince. Most people would decide it was a fantasy come true for Grace Kelly and others who’ve followed her path, rather than a burden and responsibility. One of the things I’ve always admired is the quietly sardonic humor she brings to many of the characters she portrays in her films.
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I love your description “quietly sardonic humor” – well said. I’ve always admired her film career and the fortitude to start a new life of public service in Monaco.
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Hi. I guess I haven’t seen too many of her films. But I thought she was great in Rear Window, which is one of my very favorite Hitchcock movies.
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She’s fabulous in Rear Window, isn’t she? It’s one of my fave Hitchcock movies, too.
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She had to pay 2 million bucks to marry him? At least her story turned out happier than Megan Markle’s.
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The $2M dowry is a surprise, isn’t it? I had no idea!
I hope Meghan & Harry will ultimately have a very happy ending. Such a nice-looking couple, with a lot of determination.
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I found that Princess Grace matched her name, adding grace and elegance to everything she did. I always thought her and Prince Rainer were a love match and this was what allowed her to adjust to her new life in Monaco. As I’m not a fan of horror or thriller genres so, the film I liked Princess Grace in was Philadelphia Story and to this day, it is one of those films I won’t mind seeing a second time.
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Agreed. I love Grace Kelly in High Society, and she gives a terrific performance in The Country Girl, if you ever get the chance to see it.
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Goodness… you are right. Grace Kelly did High Society and Katherine Hepburn starred in Philadelphia Story. I liked both those films. Now that you mentioned it, I have seen The Country Girl. It was a real drama and I don’t remember much of it, except a touching scene between Grace Kelly and Bing Cosby.
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Lovely tribute Ruth, and great gifs and you did make me smile as always with Olivia as the scamp… does sound like a great movie scene for a biopic!!
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Oh yes, brilliant idea, Gill! I never thought of it.
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I know there is a Grace Kelly biopic out there with Cheryl Ladd as Grace and Ian McShane as her Prince. It sounds fantastic but not sure if it has Olivia in it.
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Thank you so much for this interesting post! I didn’t know about this new documentary, I must look it up. I think Grace Kelly was one of the most beautiful and stylish women in Hollywood, apart from being a very talented actress. Just a shame she quitted cinema, but she didn’t have a choice if she wanted to marry the man she loved.
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Agreed. I love her wardrobe in Rear Window – she made any outfit look fabulous! Like you said, she was very beautiful and stylish.
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I loved this post and I didn’t know about : Precious Memories (2021), thank you!
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It’s a good documentary, and doesn’t deal with scandal. I found it quite uplifting.
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A new documentary on Grace Kelly, count me in! Thanks for the info, Ruth. Have you read The Bridesmaids by Judith Balaban Quine? The author was one of Grace’s bridesmaids. I began the book but never finished. What I do remember is the clear picture that was painted of Grace as a lovely friend and woman. I need to pick it up again sometime and finish.
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Ooh – I haven’t read The Bidesmaids; in fact, I hadn’t heard of it until now. Thanks! I’ll see if the library has a copy.
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You’re welcome! Let me know what you think if you get the chance to read it 🙂
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