Happy St Patrick's Day!

There is no better way to mark St Patrick's Day than with a stunning picture of everyone's favorite Irish-American Princess of Monaco, taken on St Patrick's Day in 1954, here via The Royal Digest. Princess Grace was very proud of her Irish heritage, visited the country on several occasions and established, as part of her legacy, the Princess Grace Irish Library. Check up on past posts about the Irish-Monegasque connections here.

A Tiara of Princess Grace

The Royal Digest recently featured a post on the Van Cleef & Arpel's tiara of HSH Princess Grace of Monaco. Made in 1976 the Princess wore it only once for the pre-wedding festivities of Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot. Check it out.

Princess Grace, Hometown Girl

HSH Princess Grace of Monaco became a famous and beloved figure all around the world first as a movie star and later as the princess consort of one of the oldest monarchies on earth. However, in her own hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania she is still known as the local girl who made it big. A reminder of that, and how Princess Grace never lost her connection with her native city, will be coming to Philadelphia. On Thursday at the Hotel Monaco in the 'City of Brotherly Love' officials announced an upcoming exhibit dedicated to Princess Grace called "Grace Kelly: Beyond the Icon" which will focus on her childhood, early film career and finally her rise to the world of royalty.

Christopher Le Vine, a nephew of Princess Grace, spoke at the event about how his beloved aunt never lost touch with her roots, her family and friends. He also spoke of her love for scrapple, a local Philly dish that is, let us say, a rather acquired taste. It consists of a loaf of pork scraps and cornmeal -hardly the sort of thing one would expect a Princess of Monaco or even a Hollywood movie star to be fond of. Yet, Princess Grace took a sample back to the principality with her so that the chefs at the Princely Palace could recreate the dish in her new home (though one has to wonder what highly skilled masters of French cuisine must have thought of such a thing).

The exhibit will open on October 28 at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doyelstown, a suburb not far from the Bucks County Playhouse where Princess Grace made her stage debut in 1949. Items that will be on display for the exhibit include clothes, clips of home movies, the Oscar the Princess won for her role in "The Country Girl" as well as love letters from HSH Prince Rainier III. HSH Sovereign Prince Albert II also recorded a special message for the crowd in Philadelphia that was played at the announcement, paying tribute to his late mother and noting how beloved she was by the Monegasque and how much her legacy lives on in Monaco today. She will never be forgotten.

A Wedding to Remember

It was on this day in 1956 that American film icon Grace Kelly was married to His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Huge crowds of tens of thousands of Monegasques turned out to cheer the happy couple and the event really put the tiny Principality of Monaco on the world map, certainly as far as the United States was concerned as 'Monaco fever' swept America from coast to coast. Ever since that happy day, many Americans have taken a special interest in Monaco and the House of Grimaldi -and obviously, a great many still do. For traditional style and modern glamour, the wedding of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace remains almost impossible to top. A happy occasion to remember.

Palace Drops Support for Film

The upcoming film "Grace of Monaco" has been creating a great deal of buzz and, previously, seemed to have the full support of the Princely Family with TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene even attending the U.S. Academy Awards last year to draw attention to the film and the late, beloved Princess Grace, herself an Oscar-winner as I'm sure everyone knows. However, all of that seems to have changed and whatever support the House of Grimaldi had for the film has been withdrawn. A statement from the Princely Palace, endorsed by HSH Prince Albert II, HRH Princess Caroline and HSH Princess Stephanie said that the Princely Family was not endorsing the film, that it is not a biopic, was overly glamorized and contained many falsehoods about the family and the Principality of Monaco. They stress it is "purely fictional". Those behind the film said that the Palace had, in the past, made some suggestions related to the film, including corrections about certain people and historical events but admitted that they paid little attention to what the Palace told them and more or less made it clear that truth and accuracy is not their primary goal in making this movie about Princess Grace.

Considering how supportive the Grimaldis seemed to be in the past toward the film, this came as a surprise to me. However, perhaps it should not be as the time period the film is focused on; when relations between France and Monaco were extremely tense over French citizens relocating to Monaco to avoid taxes and when Princess Grace was invited back into the movie business by her former director (and admirer) Alfred Hitchcock. It is a sensitive period to look at it and, perhaps, it should not be surprising that filmmakers would disregard the truth and the wishes of the family in an effort to make an even more dramatic story. That is quite normal, however, speaking for myself, I am far less interested in seeing this movie if it is just going to be another carbon-copy Hollywood drama rather than the real story of what actually happened to Princess Grace in Monaco at that time.

Photography Started on Princess Grace Film

Filming has begun on the new movie, "Grace of Monaco" starring Nicole Kidman (as we have discussed) in the title role. The film has a $30 million budget and is scheduled for release sometime in 2014. What did I find most surprising? Tim Roth will be playing Prince Rainier III. I know some were critical of Kidman playing Princess Grace (impossible shoes to fill if ever there were) but, while there might have been better choices, I am willing to give her a chance and see what she can do with the part. However, Tim Roth as Prince Rainier? Could they have found anyone less Franco-Monegasque than Tim Roth? Don't get me wrong, I think Roth is a great actor, I loved him in "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction" -I didn't love him so much in "Rob Roy" as he was perfectly evil but he still played perfectly evil very well. However, he's just nowhere even close to being at all similar to Prince Rainier. Especially for the period being covered, he seems to old, his build is wrong and his features are far too British and not at all Mediterranean. Well, maybe they are banking on no one paying much attention to anyone other than Kidman/Grace in this movie. We will have to wait and see. I have been reasonable on the choice of Kidman, but Tim Roth...

MM Video: Princess Grace, Face of Perfection

Grace, A Symbol of Change Website

I only just now noticed, and I don't know how long it will stay up, but there is a website for the commemorative event "Grace, A Symbol of Change" (that is at http://graceassymbolofchange.org) for the 3-day event held from September 14-16 in memory of the passing of HSH Princess Grace of Monaco, under the patronage of HSH the Sovereign Prince, to remember the beloved Princess in every aspect of her life; as a social figure, an iconic actress and Princess consort of Monaco. It is very well done and available in English and French.

Remembering Princess Grace

It was on this day in 1982 that Monaco lost a princess, America lost an icon, Prince Rainier III lost a wife, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie lost their mother and the world lost a most beloved friend...

Aussie Star to Play Princess Grace

This is not exactly "new" news but something I've been meaning to mention since I first saw it. Australian actress Nicole Kidman is, it seems, set play HSH Princess Grace of Monaco in a new film set to be coming out soon. The movie will focus on the period of tension between France and Monaco. I have no idea who will play Prince Rainier nor could I imagine who might fit the part. I just can't think of an actor who even remotely looks like him. But, anyway, we have Nicole Kidman as Princess Grace. I will admit, at first, it was a little hard for me to get my mind around. Probably because the movies with Nicole Kidman that stand out in my mind are ones in which she was playing characters about as far removed from someone like Princess Grace as the east is from the west. However, after some time has passed, I think I've gotten used to the idea. She has also been described as "statuesque" as Princess Grace often is as well and, frankly, there are plenty of worse choices they could have made. Who picked Colin Firth to play King George VI? He did a great job, don't get me wrong, he's a top notch actor but he doesn't even remotely resemble the man. And let me just go on record as saying, if anyone ever makes a movie about King Edward VII, I have two words for you: Brian Blessed. Period.



Anyway, the problem with anyone playing a part like Princess Grace is that no one else could ever measure up. She always seemed so flawless it's hard to imagine anyone else even pretending to be her. It's hard to imagine anyone who's been married to Tom Cruise or an alcoholic metrosexual country singer playing Princess Grace. But, again, I'm getting used to the idea. I'm trying not to think about "Eyes Wide Shut" or "Moulin Rouge" and just look forward. If this becomes a trend, we already have recommendations for other parts. Marley Shelton could play Princess Charlene, Belgian politician Joëlle Milquet has been mentioned as a good double for Princess Caroline, and I would agree she looks alot like her but who knows if she can act? Prince Albert could play himself, he has at least some acting experience. Princess Stephanie? Nobody -it cannot be done! Do the readers have any opinion on this? What do you think? Was Nicole Kidman a good choice? If not, who would be your pick to play our iconic Princess Grace? Hit the comment box and let us all know.

MM Video: Princess Grace, Forever Timeless

Princess Caroline Opens New Exhibition in Honor of Princess Grace

On Monday HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover presided over the opening of a new exhibition in honor of her beloved mother called "Princesse Grace: Habiller une Image" at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, Villa Sauber. Another international effort, the displays were developed through the cooperation between the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and Pringle of Scotland. History-minded fashion students poured through the records, archives and personal contacts at the Princely Palace in their study of the wardrobe of the fashion icon Princess Grace. They also consulted the Prince’s Palace Archives and Library, the Archives Audiovisuelles de Monaco, the Bibliothèque Municipale Louis Notari, and the Garden Club of Monaco. The emphasis is on what Princess Grace wore on everyday occasions and, as the background of those involved suggests, with a special focus on the knitwear and Pringle of Scotland archive styles. This exhibition at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco- an intimate study capturing her style in the most relaxed and familial situations- will be only the first "leg" of this project with the second to be opened in September which will see Pringle of Scotland and the Central Saint Martins MA Fashion Design students take aesthetic elements from the exhibition and translate them into a knitwear capsule collection.

Grace and Rainier, A Cute Couple

Josephine Baker and Princess Grace

One of the most seemingly unlikely friendships in the recent history of Monaco was that between Princess Grace and the African-American singer/dancer/actress Josephine Baker. One was from a well-to-do patrician family of New England while the other was a poor, Black orphan girl from St Louis, Missouri. Both became famous but whereas there was not a great deal of mixed feelings about Princess Grace (generally, to know her was to love her), Josephine Baker was a highly controversial figure due to her outspoken opinions on politics, her renunciation of her American citizenship and, most prominently, her active role in the civil rights movement. Although not controversial today, it certainly was at the time and this was one thing, besides the most basic background in “entertainment” that the two women had in common. Both were committed to the idea that to discriminate on the basis of race was absolutely abhorrent.

Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald in 1906 in east St Louis and was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas by two former slaves, Richard and Elvira McDonald who adopted her. Forced to work at a young age, she dropped out of school at 12 and lived on the streets, dancing for tips. Finally she won a place in a vaudeville show, moved on to New York and began working her way up the slippery show biz ladder. When Grace Kelly left home to become a model and ultimately an actress her parents, particularly her strict German-American mother, thought it was scandalous. She would have been absolutely mortified by some of the career turns of Josephine Baker who, in addition to the usual song and dance numbers, was not opposed to more “exotic” performances as well. In time she became a big star, appearing in several films, having a number of hit songs and won fame as the “Black Pearl”, the “Bronze Venus” and the “Creole Goddess” during her career.

Obviously, because the hardships she herself had endured, having been raised by former slaves and seeing the plight of those around her, Josephine Baker was an outspoken campaigner for civil rights for African-Americans and an avowed enemy of slavery and the slave-trade which, sadly, was still going on in parts of Africa at the time. Sometimes this got her into a great deal of trouble. For instance, when Italy invaded Ethiopia most Blacks in America rallied to the side of Emperor Haile Selassie, seeing the conflict in simple racial terms as a fight between Black Ethiopians and White Italians. Josephine Baker didn’t automatically see things that way. All that mattered to her was that slavery was still practiced in Ethiopia and it did not exist in Italy, so Josephine Baker voiced her support for Mussolini and offered to campaign to help raise troop of Black soldiers to fight alongside the Italians to “liberate” the slaves of Ethiopia. This was something, particularly after the onset of World War II, that many Americans would never forget or forgive her for but it is important to understand the reason behind what she said.

This was part of the reason for her decline in popularity in the United States just as she was becoming a huge celebrity across the pond in France. She came back to France in 1937 and married a Frenchman, renouncing her U.S. citizenship. Nonetheless she continued to support the civil rights movement in America. She adopted a number of mixed-race children, refused to perform before segregated audiences and later worked with the NAACP and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., even speaking at his famous March on Washington. When World War II broke out she quickly offered her services to France as a spy, relating talk from German, Italian and Japanese officials at elite parties to the government. After the invasion of France she smuggled messages for the Free French forces and after the war was given the Cross of War and Legion of Honor by Charles DeGaulle for her efforts.

She met Grace Kelly for the first time in 1951 when she was refused service, because of her race, at Sherman Billingsley’s Stork Club in Manhattan. Grace witnessed this and was instantly outraged, rushing over to support Josephine before storming out of the club with her entire party. Grace vowed never to give her business to the establishment again and she didn’t. From that time on Grace and Josephine Baker always remained good friends. Later, when some bad financial decisions left her nearly destitute her friend, by that time HSH Princess Grace of Monaco, offered Josephine a villa and financial assistance to help her get back on her feet. Josephine later performed in Monaco at the invitation of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. She continued her work for civil rights in America and was even offered the leadership of the movement after the assassination of Dr. King but could not accept because of her commitment to her many adopted children.

Josephine’s final performance in Paris, a celebration of her long career, was financed by Prince Rainier III, Princess Grace and Jackie Onassis. It was a great success but only a few days later she collapsed and went into a coma. Josephine Baker died at the age of 68 on April 12, 1975. She was given full French military honors at her funeral in Paris and was buried at the Cimitière de Monaco in Monte Carlo, mourned by her friend Princess Grace, a co-combatant in the struggle against racial bigotry.

Grimaldis at the Oscars

Last night, TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene hit the Hollywood red carpet to attend the Academy Awards (their first). Being not far from the anniversary of the late Princess Grace joining that elite club of Oscar-winners and her tragic end. The Princely couple are 'paving the way' so to speak for an upcoming film about Princess Grace. It is worth taking a look back at Princess Grace at the Oscars:

Grace Kelly presenting the Oscar for Best Actor to Ernest Borgnine in 1955 for his starring role in the film "Marty"

Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando with their new Oscars in 1954, a great year for movies. Brando won for "On the Waterfront" and Grace Kelly for "The Country Girl"

Grace Kelly, the new Oscar-winner, alongside her co-star Bill Holden

Three Hollywood icons: Bette Davis, Marlon Brando and Grace Kelly

Edmond O'Brien with Grace Kelly on Oscar night. O'Brien won Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Barefoot Contessa"

Grace Kelly: Engagement Party

Some great pictures and interesting info on this event at The Royal Digest (with a tug of the forelock to Tea at Trianon for bringing this great blog to my attention). What more can be said about Princess Grace that hasn't been said already? I'll simply repeat myself: never did a princess so live up to her own name.

New Film About Princess Grace

A new film about Princess Grace has been given the green light and is set to be released in 2014 (no rush) with a new veteran director attached to the project according to Deadline.com. The film will focus on a six month period in 1962 when French President Charles DeGaulle and HSH Prince Rainier III were feuding over Monaco's position as a tax haven. Although little remembered today, that spat between protector and protectorate became so serious that the borders were actually closed for a while and Paris considered taking punitive actions against Monaco for Prince Rainier daring to defy their wishes. It was quite an intense period. No word yet on what actress is set to play Princess Grace but the world will certainly be watching.

Remembering Pope John Paul I

I was recently remembering the all too short-lived Pope John Paul I, of whom Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace were quite fond. Here is a photographic look back:

Pope John Paul I meets Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III shortly after his election.

The effects of the "Smiling Pope" are evident on the faces of those who saw him.

Sadly, the next trip to the Vatican by the Princely Couple would be for the Pontiff's funeral.

Their sorrow was clearly evident.

Princess Grace's Birthday

It was on this day in 1929 that Grace Patricia Kelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John Brendan Kelly and Margaret Katherine Majer, the third of four children. She would be 82-years-old today, were it not for the tragic accident that cut her life all too short. It is hard to imagine what the world, and Monaco in particular, would have been like without her -and I wouldn't want to try. She was such a remarkable woman, truly one of a kind, and an ideal Princess consort. Her life was the original, true, royal fairytale. It was not always easy or pleasant and she certainly had her share of problems to deal with but, like all the best royal consorts, she took it all in stride and never let it show. She was a faithful and supportive wife and a devoting, loving and "hands-on" mother. Princess Grace was the complete package; intelligent, disciplined, compassionate, beautiful, stylish, dignified, caring and, of course, graceful. Few would have guessed it at the begining. As a child she was considered, believe it or not, to be something of an "ugly duckling". She was frail and often sick in a family that, with a father who was an Olympian, prized athletic ability, strength and stamina. However, she set out on her own, pursued her acting career, started out as a model, worked her way up through the ranks and finally reached the top; not just a successful actress, but the leading lady in many big studio movies and an Oscar winner. After her whirlwind courtship and marriage she settled into the "role" of Princess of Monaco and I think everyone would agree it was a part she was born to play. I am sure, Princess Grace is looking down on Monaco now, keeping an eye on her children (and her grandchildren) and I'm sure she would be perfectly delighted that her beloved 'Albie' has finally settled down to married life. There will never be another like her and she is still greatly missed, but a Hollywood icon and a future Princess of Monaco got her first look at the world 82 years ago today.

Princess Grace and the Kennedys

It should come as no surprise that HSH Princess Grace of Monaco would have been close friends with the Kennedy family. The Kelly and Kennedy clans both come from similar backgrounds; poor Irish immigrants who managed to make their way to the top of the social-economic ladder in the United States. John F. Kennedy (the world would later learn) suffered from numerous and painful ailments throughout his relatively short life and this was a cause of great concern for those who knew him closely. In 1954 he was hospitalized due to severe back trouble and Princess Grace was so concerned she rushed to see him, but a private, personal meeting would obviously be very difficult. So, believe it or not, Jackie Kennedy arranged for Grace to sneak into the hospital dressed as a nurse in order to visit the future President (this being before his election and before Grace Kelly became Princess of Monaco). Of course, with her established talents as an actress, Grace was able to pull off the ruse flawlessly. Later, after the tragic assassination of JFK, one would have to wonder if a few eyebrows went up in Monaco when Jackie Kennedy married the former arch-enemy of Prince Rainier III; Aristotle Onassis, a match controversial for a great many reasons.