The pair had first met a year earlier during the Cannes Film Festival.
AsHello Monacoreported, the fated meeting almost didn’t happen.
That morning, Kelly’s hotel lost power as she was getting ready.
She couldn’t dry her hair or iron her clothes.
He was instantly besotted and soon, the pair were writing each other letters.
Rainier then gave her another Cartier ring, which she wore in the film “High Society.”
Their engagement was like something out of a fairytale and the wedding that followed was no different.
Let’s take a look back atPrince Rainier and Grace Kelly’s incredible wedding celebrationsin 1956.
It was an eight-day trip.
“She’d say it was fun for the wedding party.
Upon their arrival in Monaco, a huge congregation of 20,000 citizens were waiting to greet them.
At the time, there were only 23,000 people living in the principality.
The crowds were so immense, riot police from France were even summoned to keep the peace.
They sat in the lavish royal box and watched a special gala performance.
She also wore “gala jewels” including her first tiara for the occasion.
Her diamond necklace by Cartier was a gift from her new husband.
Prince Rainier III’s mother, Princess Charlotte, was also in attendance, also wearing a Cartier tiara.
The ceremony was led by Bishop Gilles Barthe.
According to RoyalCentral, Kelly’s bouquet was particularly noteworthy.
It featured a bodice covered in delicately hand-sewn Brussels lace and pearls along with a long train.
Kelly wore a Juliet Cap rather than a tiara to complete the look.
The dress has since become an iconic symbol of bridal style.
Joe Hong, a designer for Neiman Marcus, created the looks for the bridesmaids and flower girls.
Instead of wearing a tuxedo, he opted to wear a full military uniform.
However, rather than wearing a traditional, standard uniform, Rainier actually designed his own outfit.
According toHello Monaco, his design was inspired by uniforms worn by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Rainier was fascinated by Napoleon and even opened a museum wing dedicated to him.
The outfit featured a black jacket covered in numerous medals and a sash with gold detailing.
He wore pale blue trousers with a golden stripe on the outer leg.
It was a quiet, reflective ceremony that held to religious traditions.
After Kelly came down the aisle with her father, she took her place at the altar.
After Rainier joined her, the bishop first gave a speech in French.
The pair then took each other’s hands and exchanged rings before kneeling and praying together.
The Times even reported that she said, “Oui, Monseigneur.”
Another outlet wrote that her response was “barely audible” (viaTime).
Not only were some famous political figures present, there were also many members of the Hollywood elite.
As theDaily Mailreported, there were around 700 people invited.
According toHello Monaco, the car was a wedding gift from the citizens of Monaco.
They were surrounded by an escort of a group of guards on motorcycles.
As theHolland Sentinelreported, that particular Rolls Royce has a pretty fascinating history.
Hjelme-Lundberg was friends with Rainier and he agreed to drive his bride to the wedding.
Their six-tier wedding cake contained real doves
The extravagance didn’t stop there.
After the wedding ceremony, the couple and their guests celebrated at a grand reception.
Guests were served a decadent meal that included champagne, caviar, smoked salmon, salami, and lobster.
But the centerpiece was the wedding cake.
As theDaily Mailreported, the cake alone cost 10,000.
Things got even more extravagant when Rainier and Kelly cut the cake.
It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic romantic gesture than that!
She received another dog, a poodle named Oliver, from the actor Cary Grant.
The most extravagant gift was perhaps the present from Aristotle Onassis, who gifted the couple a huge yacht.
As for Rainier, he gave his bride a stunning set of diamond and pearl jewelry.
Suffice to say, this wasn’t your typical wedding registry!
The yacht is now called the M/Y Grace and is owned by Quasar Expeditions, a boutique holiday company.
The yacht can now be rented for a cruise of the Galapagos.
AsThe Sunreported, Grace Kelly’s suite costs a cool 17,000 to rent.
