FAMOUS MONEGASQUES
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onaco.com
Grace Kelly as a model in the early days for
Old Gold cigarettes, 1948
19th April 1956, Monaco. The St Nich-
olas Cathedral was packed with high-
ranking guests and celebrities: Ava
Gardner, Aristotle Onassis, the Duchess
of Westminster… The rich and famous
gathered in Monaco’s main cathedral
to see «the wedding of the century».
The ceremony was broadcast on televi-
sion in nine European countries, reach-
ing 30 million viewers. Grace had never
seemed so famous and popular.
A NEW ROLE FOR GRACE
During her trip, she was supposed to meet
Prince Rainier III for a photo session in his
Palace. On the appointed day, an unexpect-
ed strike of electrical workers spoilt all her
plans. She arrived at the Palace with her
hair wet (the hair dryer did not work) wear-
ing her only wrinkle-free dress. It was not
a good start to the day. However, history
shows those unfortunate little details would
be the start of a big love story.
http://www.fondation-psse-grace.mc
In the mid-40’s Grace worked both in thea-
tre and on television. Performances took up
almost all of her time. In 1952 Kelly received
a co-starring role with Gary Cooper in «High
Noon». The film was a success in the United
States and won four Academy awards. After
«High Noon» Kelly starred in «Mogambo»
(1953), «Dial M for Murder» (1954), «Rear Win-
dow» (1954), «Green Fire» (1954) and «The
Country Girl» (1954). The latter brought Kelly
her first Academy Award win. And there she
was, heading to the Cannes Film Festival
with the American delegation.
Princess Caroline of Hanover nowadays
presides over the Foundation created by her
mother in 1964.
Despite the fears of the sceptics, the mar-
riage of Prince Rainier III and the former Hol-
lywood star enhanced the economic position
of Monaco. Tourists from all over the world
were flocking to the European microstate.
Moreover, attracted by favourable taxation,
businessmen from different countries moved
their companies to Monaco. The economy of
the Principality was flour-
ishing as never before.
Grace took her new role
very seriously, carrying
out her obligations and
including working hard at
creating a positive public
image for Monaco. Now
she had to look after her
three wonderful children
(her son Albert is the cur-
rent ruler of the country).
of a charitable organization. The wife of
Prince Rainier III was at the helm of several
projects at once. First, in 1963, she created
AMADE-Mondiale, an association helping
children around the world. Two years later,
the Monegasque branch of the organiza-
tion opened in the Principality in order to
maintain and promote the physical and
moral well-being of the younger genera-
tion, regardless of their race, nationality,
religion, or political opinion.
Another creation of Princess Grace, Fonda-
tion Princesse Grace, operates in various
fields: from culture to health care. One of
its goals is to help children hospitalized in
France. In addition to children’s entertain-
ment, movie nights and trips for children,
the foundation also takes care of parents
of the young patients. The organization al-
locates funds for the construction of special
houses that allow parents to be located next
to their hospitalized children.
THE FINAL CURTAIN
13th September 1982. On her way back
home from Mont Agel, Princess Grace had
a stroke. Her Rover 3500S V8 drove off the
road and fell down a cliff. The Princess was
taken to hospital with multiple fractures.
As her condition worsened overnight, the
Princely family took the difficult decision to
turn off her life-support system.
After the tragic death of Princess Grace, her
children took charge of the organizations.
Thus, Princess Caroline, who is the president
of the Fondation Princesse Grace, decided
to focus on the support of young musicians
and dancers. Each year, the foundation also
offers grants to talented artists in the field of
literature and music.
DEDICATION
TO CHARITY
Grace Kelly and her mother Margaret Kelly,
1950s
44 / Hello Monaco Winter 2019–2020
www.hellomonaco.com
Princess Grace also dedi-
cated herself to charity
work. Each princess of
Monaco, beginning with Being a mother became the perfect and ideal role for the famous
Grace, stands at the head actress.