On 19 April, Hollywood stars and high society gathered en masse at Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral, including Aristotle Onassis, Conrad Hilton, Egypt’s former King Farouk, Randolph Churchill and Ava Gardner, while 30 million viewers watched it live from home. Her gown, another designed by Helen Rose, has gone down in history as one of the most inspirational wedding dresses ever. Featuring a high-neck and long sleeves, with a 10.5-foot long train, its bodice was made using Brussels lace, with pearl-encrusted buttons, while the skirt was taffeta. In a break from royal bridal tradition, Kelly did not wear a tiara: instead, she secured her veil with a Juliet cap.
Wedding of Prince Rainier of Monaco and Grace Kelly on April 19, 1956 in Monaco.
Gilbert TOURTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
During the wedding breakfast, guests were treated to lobster, caviar and a six-tier wedding cake by the Hotel de Paris’s pastry chefs, from which two live turtle doves were released after Rainier sliced through it with his sword. The couple then left in a Rolls-Royce, a gift from their subjects, and sailed away on their honeymoon on board Deo Juvante II, a gift from Aristotle Onassis.
