Wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly

High Society joined the Princely Family of Monaco to celebrate Wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monte-Carlo on this day in 1956, 70 years ago, following a Civil Ceremony at the Palais Princier de Monaco and a Gala at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo!

Prince Rainier III of Monaco married American Actress Grace Kelly in a Catholic Ceremony at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monte Carlo, officiated by Bishop Gilles Barthe.

A Pontifical High Mass conducted by Bishop Gilles Barthe at Saint Nicholas Cathedral. This event was televised to over 30 million viewers worldwide.

Afterwards, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace drove through the streets to the Palais Princier de Monaco.

Following the service, the couple visited the Chapel of Sainte-Dévote, where Princess Grace left her bridal bouquet as an offering to Monaco’s patron saint

Later, a luncheon was held at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

A luncheon at the Hotel de Paris featured a six-tier wedding cake that weighed over 198 pounds. In a unique tradition, the cake was cut with the Prince’s ceremonial sword and contained two live turtledoves that were released upon being cut

Designed by MGM’s Helen Rose, the ivory silk taffeta gown featured 125-year-old Brussels lace and thousands of hand-sewn pearls. It was a gift from the MGM studio.

King Farouk of Egypt

King Peter II and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia

Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan

The previous 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.