Grace Kelly’s Iconic Wedding Dress
Academy Award-winning actress, Grace Patricia Kelly was born on the 12th of November 1929 in Philidelphia, America. Starring in Hollywood golden age hits such as High Society and Rear Window, Grace was an acclaimed talent and a hit with many. However, the lasting image of Grace is often not her Hollywood triumphs, but instead her world-famous marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco, her tragic death and the wedding that produced one of the most iconic wedding dresses of all time.
Grace Kelly on her wedding day.
Rainier and Grace met in 1955 at the Cannes Film Festival, and just one year later on the 19th of April 1956, they were married in a grand ceremony at Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where Grace transformed from Hollywood princess into an actual real-life princess. The spectacle was broadcast to over 30 million people, a massive event for the time, and one particular detail was complimented on by many, Grace’s wedding dress. Academy Award-winning costume designer Helen Rose designed the now-iconic gown, having worked with Grace on movies before, and the gown was a loving gift from MGM to one of their most famous and successful stars. A goodbye gift in many senses because, as a working Royal, Grace would never be able to be an actress again. The elegant dress used over 400 yards of fabric, including twenty-five yards of silk taffeta, one hundred yards of silk net, tulle and even 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace (that’s lace made in the 1830s!). Not simply constructed, the dress was created in several pieces. There was a lace bodice which came with a slip, skirt support and underbodice. Then there was a foundation with ruffled and smoothing petticoats which went under the pleated outer skirt. To finish the fairy tale look, there was a train insert and silk cummerbund! That’s an awful lot of dress.
Grace Kelly on her wedding day.
To accessorise, Grace wore a delicate Juliet cap which was adorned with seed pearls and orange blossoms, and an exquisite veil made from tulle, which measured 90 yards. It was commonplace in the mid-20th century that brides who were devout Catholics would carry a Bible instead of a bunch of flowers, and so Grace carried a small Bible which had been embellished with silk, lace and pearls to match with the rest of the ensemble.
Although this is the main image we have when we think of the wedding dress of Grace Kelly, it wasn’t her only wedding ensemble. The religious ceremony of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly was only one half of the overall wedding and the day before the religious ceremony took place, there was a civil ceremony which was held at the baroque throne room of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. Grace also wore a dress designed by Helen Rose, however, it was a far more toned-down look. She wore a simple pale pink taffeta ensemble, featured high rounded collar and a delightful flared skirt. She accessorised with gloves and a Juliet cap.
Grace and Rainier at their civil ceremony.
Grace’s beautiful wedding gown has served as inspiration for many, including the Duchess of Cambridge’s Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress for her wedding to Prince William in 2011. The future Queen’s gown featured a high neckline and lace sleeves similar to that worn by the Princess of Monaco. The skirt and train of the now-famous dress featured Solstiss lace, the same used by Grace on her gown.
The wedding dress of a humble American girl who turned into a European Princess has led to many believing in the fairy tale life, that anyone can be a Princess. I don’t think this is a dress anyone will ever forget, it is simply iconic.
