DID YOU KNOW?
P
rincess Grace once famously said, «When I took time to look into the heart of a flower,
it opened up a whole new world; a world where every walk would be an adventure,
where every garden would become an enchanted garden».
I remember an encounter with the Princess one day, in the rose gardens of Villa Sauber, the
National Museum of Monaco. She was gently caressing the petals, marvelling at the beauty
of rose bushes. She honoured me with a few words, announcing the International Bouquet
Competition that she initiated while presiding over the Monaco Garden Club (she created
it in 1968). This extremely refined event allows aesthetes and flower lovers to compete with
all their imagination and inventiveness. The contestants are asked to make floral arrange-
ments, some of which are nothing short of genuine plant sculptures, on a selected theme
(the climate, for the most recent one).
This event is a magnet for enthusiastic crowds of all ages, contemplating the wonders of
nature enhanced by the hand of man.
THOUSANDS OF ROSES SURROUND
THE SCULPTURE OF PRINCESS GRACE
IN THE GARDENS OF FONTVIEILLE
A sumptuous rose created by Meilland, the world-famous rose breeder, for the princely
wedding of Grace and Rainier in 1956 bears the name of the Princess — «Grace de Monaco».
With its strongly scented petals and silvery highlights, this flower blooming beautifully in the
Mediterranean gardens conquered Grace’s heart who confessed: «This is the most beautiful
of all my wedding gifts».
Years later, in 1981, another flower was presented at the legendary Bal de la Rose. A pearly
white, hemmed with vermilion, this marvel in the Monegasque flag colours immediately
seduced the Princess. The rose was to be called «Preference». But it was baptized «Princess
of Monaco» instead.
Princess Grace had a great passion for flowers.
«Grace de Monaco» rose by Meilland, 1956
Following the tragic death of his wife, Prince Rainier III commissioned a landscaped park in
Fontvieille, a rose garden in the Princess’ memory. A collection of roses frames the sculpture
by Kees Verkade, immortalizing Princess Grace with a bust in bronze. To her tribute, some
315 varieties of rosebushes are spread over 5000 square metres, illuminating this space of
freshness and contemplation.
The Princess loved her roses and orchids — these sumptuous flowers were rivalling her own
elegance of heart and spirit. They say that she received some 200,000 orchids from all around
the world at the birth of her son, Albert, on March 14, 1958. A legend, perhaps, based on her
unconditional passion for flowers and bouquets.
Prince Rainier III commissioned
a landscaped park in Fontvieille,
a rose garden in the Princess’ memory.
«Princesse de Monaco» rose
by Meilland, 1981
Hello Monaco Winter 2019–2020 / 21
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