Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco
On this day · 19 April 1956
A Hollywood star traded the screen for a throne, marrying Monaco's sovereign in a ceremony the world watched live.
On April 19, 1956, Grace Kelly, the Philadelphia-born, Academy Award-winning actress, married Prince Rainier III, the reigning sovereign of Monaco. The religious ceremony took place at Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral, a day after a civil ceremony required by the principality’s law. At 26, Kelly walked away from a celebrated Hollywood career to become Princess of Monaco.
The event was dubbed the “wedding of the century” and was followed by an audience of tens of millions on live television, relayed across Europe. Kelly’s ivory gown, designed by MGM costumer Helen Rose and trimmed with antique Brussels lace and seed pearls, became one of the most imitated bridal dresses in history.
Soon after the ceremony, Kelly donated her famous dress to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it remains a treasured part of the collection.
The marriage cemented Kelly’s transformation from movie idol to royal figure, and her image as Princess Grace endured until her death in 1982.
Sources & references
2 referencesWell-established. Corroborated by 2 independent sources.
