Wedding Gala of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly

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, 70 years ago, 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.