Hollywood Nixes Royal Etiquette

Grace Kelly (1929 –1982) was an American actress who was Princess of Monaco as the wife of Prince Rainier III _ According to unofficialroyalty.com, “Members of the Sovereign Family must have the consent of the Sovereign Prince to marry. Those who marry without consent lose succession rights for themselves and their descendants. If a family member marries without the consent of the Sovereign Prince and no children are born and the marriage is dissolved, then that person will regain succession rights.”
– Public domain image, Wikipedia

                                               

Grace, Rainier Announce Two Wedding Dates

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco Monday set not one but two wedding dates-April 18 and April 19-for what could be the biggest rites since Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip. Monaco, the tiny Mediterranean principality over which the Prince rules, will be the locale. The two dates were necessary to conform to local custom of a civil and a religious ceremony. The civil rites come first. The Bishop of Monaco will celebrate the Roman Catholic nuptial mass.

The announcement came from Miss Kelly's secretary in a manner contrary to both Royal and Hollywood custom. For the Prince, it marked a bow to democracy in following the accepted American etiquette of allowing the bride to make the first announcement.

TERSE PHONE CALL

It also marked the first time in Hollywood history that a reigning movie queen didn't announce big news via her studio or press agent. The announcement came from Nadia Woods, secretary to the actress, in a terse phone call to individual members of the press. She said only: "Miss Kelly and Prince Rainier want to announce the date of their marriage as April 18 and 19. The rites will be held in Monaco with the civil ceremony on the 18th and the religious ceremony the following day.

"There are no other details at this time, other than the setting of the date." Miss Kelly currently is hurrying to finish "High Society" with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. It's the musical remake of "The Philadelphia Story." The picture is the Oscar-winning dramatic actress' first musical and also her singing debut on the screen.

HER LAST PICTURE?

She will do her own singing in the picture that may well be her last. Her Prince says marriage will end her career. MGM sources report no definite decision has been forthcoming on her retirement alter marriage.

She is due to finish the picture by March 10 and will take off for her family home in Philadelphia. Her trousseau is already in the works, the creation of MGM designer Helen Rose. On April 4, she will sail via steamship for Monaco, not ordinarily a port of call for liners but several companies already have offered to make a special stop for her.

The Prince, now living in a rented Bel-Air mansion, will precede her by several weeks. The two have been dating quietly, mostly at dinners in the actress' Pacific Palisades home.

So far, the Prince has not visited Miss Kelly at work despite the urgent pleas of other cast members. Celeste Holm told her: "We'll make him comfortable. We'll just stare at him." – Hollywood (AP) February, 1956

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