Monaco High Society joined the Princely Family of Monaco for the Wedding Gala of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in Monaco on this day in 1956, on the eve of the Religious Wedding Ceremony!
Earlier in the day, Prince Rainier III of Monaco married American Actress Grace Kelly in a Civil Wedding Ceremony in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace followed by a Reception for 3,000 Monegasque citizens in the Palace Courtyard.
In the evening, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace attended a Gala Performance at the Opera House in Monte Carlo on the eve of the Religious Wedding Ceremony at Saint Nicholas Cathedral.
The Wedding Gala of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly took place after their private civil ceremony at the Prince’s Palace and served as a glamorous precursor to the grand religious wedding the following day. The prestigious Opera House in Monte Carlo, where the couple was the focus of intense media attention during their first public appearance as a married couple. The evening featured a gala performance, including a ballet show for the 700 distinguished guests, which included Hollywood luminaries like Cary Grant and Ava Gardner.
Princess Grace wore her Bains de Mer Tiara, Cartier Diamond Necklace and Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Bracelet with the Order of Saint-Charles.
For her final appearance of the day, Grace Kelly wore a white silk gown by Lanvin. She accessorized with significant wedding gifts, including a diamond and ruby tiara from the Société des Bains de Mer and a three-strand Cartier diamond necklace from Prince Rainier.
Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois wore her Cartier Pearl Drop Tiara.
King Peter II and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia
Bains de Mer Tiara
Diamond Tiara
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Tiara
Cartier Diamond Necklace
Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl Suite
Sapphire Daisy Brooch
Diamond Swag Tiara
Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Cartier Diamond Earrings
Diamond Flower Brooch
Cartier Bangle 
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Bracelet
Gold Coffee Bean Suite
Ocean Tiara
Diamond Foam Tiara
Infinite Cascade Necklace
Diamond Earrings
Diamond Flowers
The Cartier Pearl Drop Tiara
Brunswick Tiara
Hanoverian Floral Tiara
Diamond Tiara
Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Diamond Fringe Necklace
Sapphire Suite
Reed Stomacher
Cartier Diamond Necklace
Bains de Mer Tiara
Gold Coffee Bean Suite
Embed from Getty Images
Prince Rainier III of Monaco (wearing the Order of Saint-Charles) and Grace Kelly’s (in her Bains de Mer Tiara, Cartier Diamond Necklace and the Order of Saint-Charles) Wedding Gala Performance at the Opera House in Monte Carlo on this day in 1956, following their Civil Wedding Ceremony at the Prince’s Palace and ahead of their Religious Wedding at Saint Nicholas Cathedral the following day. Alongside Guests and Relatives from around the globe in attendance was Prince Rainier’s mother, Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois (wearing her Cartier Pearl Drop Tiara).
What a love story that was! Even if it had its troubles, just like every relationship does, Prince Rainier loved his Princess Grace deeply. I’ll never forget the image of the Prince as he followed his princess to her resting place when she died. He looked completely lost in his grief. But on this day, 64 years ago, all was happiness and joy! What a beautiful pair they were!