The Secret Truth Behind the Iconic Marriage of Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco

A Beautiful Beginning

Grace Patricia Kelly was born into a very wealthy and affluent Pennsylvanian family in November 1929. Kelly’s Irish-American father, John, established a successful brick company which had made him a millionaire many times over. The dapper head of the family was also a champion sportsman. The rower won three Olympic gold medals in the early 20s.

Hollywood Calls

Kelly’s German-born mother, Margaret, was a beautiful physical education instructor at the University of Pennsylvania. Young Grace seemed destined for future fame and stardom. Her maternal uncle was a stage actor while her paternal uncle was a screenwriter and director.

Early Talents

As a young girl, Kelly acted in various school productions. Despite her father’s disapproval, Kelly pursued her acting ambitions in the wider world. She longed for the glamour and prestige of Hollywood.

Big City Lights

Kelly travelled to New York and enrolled at the famous American Academy of Dramatic Arts, later graduating at just 19 years of age. Appearances on Broadway soon led to starring in TV dramas. Soon, the beauty gained the attention of Hollywood. In 1951 she landed a minor role in the film-noir called Fourteen Hours.

Success Comes Knocking

Kelly’s big breakthrough role came later that year, the starlet was offered the lead part alongside Gary Cooper in the classic western High Noon. The following year Kelly signed a seven-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer with a salary of $850 per week.

A Star is Born

A string of hits followed for the iconic actress, Dial M for Murder and Rear Window, both released in 1954 and both directed by renowned director, Alfred Hitchcock. The world fell in love with the blue-eyed blonde. With her acting talents, magnificent good looks and spectacular elegance, Kelly enthralled moviegoers.

The Final Act

No-one could have predicted it, but Kelly would soon star in her very last film. The actress’s third movie with Hitchcock, 1955’s To Catch a Thief was shot in the South of France. By a stroke of fate, Kelly found herself in Monaco for a photo call with the charming and charismatic Prince Rainier.

A New Love

At the time of the pair’s first meeting, the beauty was dating French actor and war hero, Jean-Pierre Aumont. Despite her existing relationship, Kelly’s introduction to Rainier eventually led to a whirlwind courtship, and then a high profile marriage which marked the end of her budding career.

Prince Charming

Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi had been born in May 1923 in Monaco’s Prince’s Palace to Prince Pierre and Princess Charlotte, the Duke and Duchess of Valentinois. Rainier, the couple’s only son, was the natural heir to the throne. The Prince would reign for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history.

A Difficult Period

During his early years, Rainier was sent off to a prestigious boarding school in England in the Buckinghamshire countryside. The future heir to the throne had a difficult time amongst the English boarding schoolboys. His cruel and taunting peers dubbed him “Fat Boy Monaco.”

An Official Heir

Nevertheless, Rainier went on to finish his education in Switzerland and France, receiving an Arts degree from the University of Montpellier in 1943. The following year, the young Prince became the official heir after his mother, Duchess Charlotte, renounced her claim to the throne.

The Call of Duty

In 1944, Rainier joined the Free French Army to fight a grueling guerilla campaign against the gripping forces of Nazi Germany. World War II raged on in Europe with Hitler’s occupation of France established in 1940. Rainier served with distinction and his bravery in action was recognized by his award of the Croix de Guerre – France’s military cross. After his grandfather’s passing in 1949, Rainier succeeded to the Monegasque throne.

Financial Troubles

The Prince’s new status brought with it a host of troubles. Monaco’s wealth had once depended on the earnings of its world-famous casino, but rival gambling destinations in France began to take their toll. In addition, many of the high-spending aristocratic gamblers found themselves in financial turmoil after the end of the war.

A Cunning Plan

Prince Rainier needed to find innovative ways to make fast money. He soon developed a strategy to turn Monaco into a tax haven to attract both investors and tourists. The move attracted the obscenely wealthy Aristotle Onassis, later to wed Jackie Kennedy. Onassis would soon offer the Prince some sinister advice.

A Plan is Made

The Greek shipping tycoon and fast friend of the Prince had a cunning to ease Rainier’s financial troubles – the prince should find a Hollywood beauty to marry. Onassis believed the resulting media publicity would put Monaco on the map, attracting foreign investment opportunities and boosting tourist numbers.

Searching for a Star

Rainier set out to find his star. Legendary bombshell Marilyn Monroe was reportedly on the top of the Prince’s list of potential wives. Monroe refused but added, “Give me two days alone with him and of course he’ll want to marry me.”

The Question of Money

In 1955, Rainier spent three days with Grace Kelly and promptly proposed to the rising star. A wedding date was set for April 1956, but before the nuptials could take place there were still some financial details to sort out. The key question was asked: How much money could Grace bring to the partnership?

Her Father’s Hesitation

Kelly’s father was understandably reluctant. Kelly was one of the most loved rising stars in Hollywood. According to The Daily Telegraph obituary, the protective millionaire maintained, “My daughter doesn’t have to pay any man to marry her.”

A Poodle in Tow

Eventually both parties settled on a dowry figure of $2 million. With the wedding day imminently approaching. Kelly and her family sailed to Monaco, accompanied by 80 pieces of luggage and Oliver – the bombshell’s beloved pet poodle. A reporter from The Boston Globe wrote, “Never have so many women brought so much luggage to such a small country for so few days.”

The Day Arrives

In fact, Kelly’s wedding party had to pack for two events, an elaborate civil ceremony on April 18, and a religious affair the following day. The first wedding reception was attended by 3,000 distinguished guests. The world watched as the beloved actress became royalty in what appeared to appear a real-life fairytale.

A True Spectacle

Only 700 attended the second, more intimate, ceremony. Despite its modest size, the wedding-list number included Hollywood royalty like Ava Gardner and Cary Grant. The event proved to be one of the most iconic weddings of all time. Kelly was the picture of bridal beauty.

A Miserable Marriage

Prince Rainier and his Princess were married for 26 years, but many have speculated as to whether the couple were truly happy. Celebrity biographer Wendy Leigh claimed that Kelly’s royal marriage was a prison of misery for the fragile star. Shortly after the royal nuptials, it was was made clear that the union was a financial ploy by the Prince.

A Trapped Bride

In 2007, following the publication of Leigh’s revealing book, True Grace, the author shared, “Grace was humiliated and she was extremely unhappy,” she explained. “She was surrounded by decadence and Rainier’s disreputable friends.”

A Fruitful Partnership

Yet some claim that Rainier and his chosen bride enjoyed a relatively happy union. They had three children – princesses Caroline and Stephanie and Prince Albert II. Kelly busied herself with motherhood and a multitude of charity work.

An Undeniable Success

The devised strategy of promoting Monaco with a Hollywood marriage proved to be an undeniable success. The principality soon received the attention of the world. Roughly 30 million people tuned in to watch the royal wedding between the Prince and the beauty.

 

A Tragic End

Regardless of the speculation, the marriage would end in undeniable tragedy. On September 13, 1982, the Princess of Monaco was driving herself and her daughter Stephanie back to the principality after a vacation at the family’s country home in France.

The Horrific Accident

Without warning, Kelly suffered a minor stroke at the wheel. Kelly subsequently lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road. The car plunged 120 feet off a cliffside road. News of the tragedy would soon shock the world.

Devastating Loss

Young Stephanie recovered from her minor injuries but Kelly was not so fortunate. The Princess of Monaco died the following day, at the age of 52. The world mourned the loss of an icon. Over 400 people attended, including Cary Grant, Nancy Reagan, Diana, Princess of Wales and Empress Farah of Iran.

Laid to Rest

After a lengthy bout of serious illness, Prince Rainier died in April 2005 at the age of 81, having ruled over the principality for almost 56 years. He was buried next to his late wife. The sinister truth behind his marriage and demanded dowry went to the grave with him.