April 18, 2013

"P" is for Princess


This is Day 16 for the
Blogging from A to Z Challenge
for 2013.


The letter "P" is for Princess: Princess Grace of Monaco.



American film star Grace Kelly came to Monaco to film Alfred Hitchock's  To Catch a Thief with co-star Cary Grant.



View of Monaco from the Corniche


She met Prince Rainier III of the reigning Grimaldi family at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, fell in love and married the Prince the following year to become Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco.


Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco

The dress designed for Kate Middleton's marriage to Prince William in 2011 has been described as reminiscent of the dress worn by Grace Kelly for her royal wedding at Saint Nicholas Cathedral.



Les Baux-de-Provence, France

The hill town of Les Baux-de-Provence in France was a gift from King Louis VIII to the Grimaldi family in 1642 and still maintains strong ties with the Monaco royals. A photo exposition on Princess Grace was held in the town in the summer of 2012.


Princess Grace Exposition, Les Baux
Princess Grace of Monaco


The stained glass windows of St. Vincent Church in Les Baux were a gift from Prince Rainier III in 1962.



St. Vincent Church, Les Baux-de-Provence




In 1982, Princess Grace died following a tragic car accident. Cary Grant and Diana, Princess of Wales were among those in attendance at her funeral. She now lies in Monaco Cathedral with her husband, Prince Rainier III.


Burial Place of Princess Grace
Burial Place of Prince Rainier III


A portion of the walkway Parcours Princesse Grace winds through St. Martin Gardens overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The Princess Grace Trail, Monaco


St. Martin Gardens, Monaco
Ettore e Andromaca, Giorgio de Chirico
St. Martin Gardens
Statue of Prince Albert I
St. Martin Gardens

Upon Prince Rainier's death in 2005, their only son Albert II  took the throne and wed his own princess, Princess Charlene, in 2011.


Prince Albert and Princess Charlene
Wedding Photo

The royal Grimaldi family resides at the Prince's Palace on The Rock of Monaco.

The Prince's Palace, Monaco

In many ways the lives of Diana Spencer and Grace Kelly were like fairy tales, but unfortunately both ended in tragedy. Let's hope a much happier future awaits Kate and Charlene.

Next:  "Q" is for Quay

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