The official engagement photograph 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