On 19 April 1956, Hollywood actress Grace Kelly walked into the Cathedral of St Nicholas in Monaco and married Prince Rainier III. Over 600 guests attended, and the event was broadcast live to more than 30 million viewers. Seventy years later, the bridal look that day remains a reference point for anyone thinking about a white wedding dress.
The couple met in May 1955 at the Cannes Film Festival. After a year-long courtship, they married in a civil ceremony in the Palace throne room on 18 April 1956. Here are five things worth revisiting.
The gown that defined the white bride
The gown was a gift from MGM, designed by Helen Rose and made by the studio’s wardrobe artists. It was high-necked and long-sleeved, with a fitted torso and billowing skirt.
The materials were the point. According to LIFE Magazine, they included 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, thousands of tiny pearls and 125-year-old rose-point lace bought from a museum. One account says 36 seamstresses worked on it for six weeks, while another puts the number at 30. Afterwards, Kelly gave the gown to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The bride also wore a Juliet cap and veil. She carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley.
Two ceremonies, two venues
The wedding had two parts. As Monegasque tradition required, the civil ceremony took place in the throne room of the Royal Palace with just 80 guests. It was performed by Monaco’s Minister of Justice.
The religious service the next day was the grand one. The Pontifical High Mass was conducted by Gilles Barthe, the bishop of Monaco. The people of Monaco cheered and applauded as the newlyweds left the cathedral.
A second dress, and a groom in uniform
Many people remember only the cathedral gown. In fact, Helen Rose designed both of Grace’s dresses, for the civil ceremony on 18 April and the religious ceremony on 19 April. For the civil ceremony she wore pink.
Rainier dressed for the occasion too. The groom designed a military uniform especially for the day. Following Monegasque tradition, the bride arrived at the cathedral on her father’s arm minutes before the groom. Her bridesmaids wore simple yellow gowns.
The cake and the wedding breakfast
The wedding breakfast included lobster and caviar, and a six-tier wedding cake. The couple cut the cake with the Prince’s sword. A forum account records a reception for 700 guests in the Palace Court of Honour, though it is not a source we would rely on for the number.
Hollywood and high society in the pews
The guests included royalty, heads of state and movie stars. Among them was Grace’s friend, the actress Ava Gardner.
The world’s attention was enormous. More than 1,500 reporters descended on a principality whose population was then only 23,000. Around 30 million people watched around the world, at a time when televisions were not yet in every home.
The trousseau was also considered part of the occasion. It consisted of around forty day and evening outfits, including the two Helen Rose wedding gowns and a dozen costumes from her final film, High Society, donated by MGM.