On the Engagement of the Prince of Monaco and Grace Kelly

The talk of the newspapers has run long of late, and the interpretations have varied, around the engagement of Prince Rainier de Monaco to the film star Grace Kelly. But the true story has remained under wraps until now... Where did the Prince of Monaco meet the beautiful star? And how did they come to love each other?

They met in the port of Monaco?

It was mere chance. We are in July 1954. It is noon; in the morning Rainier had gone, as was his habit, to fish, in his private boat, wearing for the occasion an old suit like those fishermen usually wear, and he headed toward the port...

The first thing his eye fell upon when he jumped onto the quay was a party of cinema people — some six persons — near the restaurant called “La Rascasse.” They were there with their cameras, taking some views, and when they caught sight of him they knew him at once and bowed respectfully in greeting. They informed him that they would be taking some scenes for a film of their production...

Among the party, Cary Grant and his wife were lunching in the restaurant, and with them a friend... and this friend was none other than Grace Kelly herself! Her meeting with the Prince of Monaco carried a deep meaning that stirred the feelings of both together — and this meeting marked an important turning point in the prince's life.

They corresponded for a year and a half

They began to write to each other, and it was said that the letters Grace sent the prince, now from Hollywood and now from New York, were of a dark gray color and addressed as follows:

“To the Prince of Monaco — the Royal Palace — the Principality of Monaco.” And he was careful to receive the letters himself, without their passing through his private secretary, who was charged with his mail and the opening of its envelopes.

The people of Monaco rejoice at the engagement:

The announcement of the prince's engagement was the greatest of gifts to the people of Monaco on the occasion of Christmas. For there is one matter that must be spoken of: this little principality lying on the shore of the Mediterranean is independent and possesses its own sovereignty. But there is a law providing that if its prince does not marry and beget children, the principality then becomes a part of France.

For this reason it is natural that the people of Monaco should rejoice and make holiday, and that gladness should enter every heart, for they will remain free, enjoying their fundamental rights, exempt from taxes and compulsory military service.

Nor was this gladness confined to Monaco alone; it passed beyond to America, where Grace lives with her parents. It is the first time in the history of America that a girl of the common people has been called to occupy the heart of a reigning prince!

A word on the engaged pair:

It is, truth to tell, a marvelous story! He? Of the royal line of the Grimaldis.

And she of Irish stock — her father is one of the holders of immense fortunes and owns several skyscrapers in the United States.

As for Grace herself, she is a model of gentleness and femininity. Never in the history of her film career has she stirred any uproar over her conduct. It is enough to say that she is twenty-six years of age and has never once married — and that suffices to award her a certificate of good behavior!!

Glimpses of the engagement of the Prince of Monaco:

On December 25 Prince Rainier spent the Christmas holiday at Grace's home, and he concluded his engagement to her on the 31st, placing on her finger a diamond ring engraved in colors with Monaco's national flag!

• The engagement ceremonies were attended by some one thousand five hundred persons from among the various American notabilities, at the famous Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York, each of whom paid the equivalent of nearly one hundred Lebanese lira for an admission card.

• It happened, as the prince was leaving the hotel in his fiancée's company, that a lady came up to him and congratulated him with a kiss on his cheek, which aroused Grace's anger. When the lady was asked by the journalists whether she had known him before, she answered at once: “No — but that is our custom in offering congratulations, we Latin folk!”

• As a result of that kiss the prince presented Grace, to appease her, with a luxurious automobile worth twenty thousand Lebanese lira.

• Besides the thirty representatives of the foreign states in Monaco who will be invited to attend the wedding ceremonies next spring, cards will also be sent to all the kings and princes and to the friends of the bride and her family.

• The wedding ceremonies begin with the firing of a twenty-one-gun salute. Then the prince and princess, with their guests, proceed toward the palace on foot, the road leading to it being carpeted with red velvet. And upon their arrival at the palace door, Grace Kelly becomes Her Highness Princess Gracia Patricia de Monaco!