On 18 April 1956, war-ravaged Europe celebrated the “Wedding of the Century” between the Prince of Monaco, Rainier III, and American actress Grace Kelly. With this marriage, Grace, known for her theatrical performances, live drama productions, and successful films, took on the title of Princess Consort Gracia Patricia of Monaco.
The couple first met during a photo session in May 1955. At that time, Prince Rainier was the wealthiest bachelor in the world. After the meeting, the pair continued to correspond, and when the prince toured America seven months later, he visited the Kelly family. Although he claimed not to have planned the trip around a rendezvous with the American actress, rumors had it that he was actively seeking a wife. It was said that due to a 1918 treaty with France, Monaco was to revert to France if Rainier did not produce an heir.
Three days into his visit, the prince proposed. He first bestowed upon his fiancé a friendship ring of diamonds and rubies, then a twelve-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring. Prior to the wedding, Grace was required to take a fertility test and to sign a contract relinquishing all rights to the couples’ children in case of a divorce. The Kelly family also agreed to a dowry of two million dollars.
The glamorous civil ceremony that followed was broadcast across Europe and watched by an estimated thirty million people on television. During the forty-minute ceremony the 142 official titles that Grace had acquired in the union were formally recited. Although there were only eighty guests at the civil ceremony, at the reception that followed, the citizens of Monaco could shake hands with the new princess. A religious ceremony followed the next day, after which the prince and princess left for a seven-week honeymoon cruise.
Prince Rainier and Princess Grace had three children: Caroline, Albert, and Stéphanie. The family resided in a 235-room hilltop palace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. In September of 1982, Princess Grace suffered a stroke while driving, which caused her to lose control of the car and tumble to her death.
