On April 19, 1956, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in a formal church ceremony at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco. The wedding followed a civil ceremony held the day before in the palace throne room, required by Monaco’s laws. The Catholic church service was broadcast to over 30 million viewers across Europe, marking it as one of the most widely watched events of the decade.
Grace Kelly arrived in Monaco a week before the wedding with her family and over 80 pieces of luggage. She had recently ended her acting career with MGM and had won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Her wedding to Prince Rainier marked her official departure from Hollywood and entrance into royal life.
The bride wore a gown designed by Helen Rose, a costume designer from MGM. The dress was made with 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, and thousands of hand-sewn pearls. It took over 30 seamstresses six weeks to complete. The gown had a high collar, long lace sleeves, and a fitted bodice. It was topped with a Juliet cap covered in lace and tiny seed pearls. A long, sheer veil trailed behind her as she walked down the aisle.
The church was decorated with white flowers and greenery. The ceremony was attended by 600 guests, including royalty, diplomats, and film industry figures. Cary Grant, who had co-starred with Kelly in To Catch a Thief, attended as a guest. The groom wore a military dress uniform designed especially for the event.
Read more
After the service, the couple left the cathedral in an open-top Rolls-Royce to greet the thousands of people gathered in the streets. Monaco residents had filled the roads, waving flags and throwing flower petals. Bells rang throughout the city. Ships in the harbor sounded their horns in celebration.
The wedding reception was held at the palace, where guests were served a formal lunch. The cake stood six tiers high and was decorated with the royal coat of arms. Each guest received a piece of the cake wrapped in a white satin box. During the reception, the couple made a balcony appearance to wave to the crowd.
Media crews from around the world were stationed across Monaco. The coverage included live commentary, photographs, and detailed reports. News agencies from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy published front-page articles and special editions. Television and radio broadcasts aired the event throughout the week.
The next day, the couple left on a seven-week honeymoon cruise aboard the yacht Deo Juvante II. The boat, a wedding gift from Aristotle Onassis, was docked in Monaco’s port. Their first stop was Corsica, followed by visits to various Mediterranean ports.
Grace Kelly became Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco. She moved into the Prince’s Palace and took on her new royal duties. Her family returned to the United States, while she began her life as part of Monaco’s royal family.
