Great love stories: Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Star Romance: Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier Prince Rainier

“Gentlemen prefer ladies” - these words on the cover of Time magazine for May 1954 accompanied a portrait of the dazzling beauty - Hollywood star Grace Kelly. The caption turned out to be prophetic, although it required a little clarification: not just gentlemen, but royalty prefer ladies to all other beauties.

At the Cannes Film Festival in May 1955, Grace accepts an offer from the famous journalist Pierre Galante to take a series of photographs with the Prince of Monaco Rainier III. True, at first this idea did not seem so attractive to her - she had to circle for a long time and tediously along the winding serpentines of the tiny kingdom. But the photo session promised to be a winner - the monarch was hosting a Hollywood star.

The sun was setting when a dazzling beauty in a dress with large bright colors first stepped on the reddish soil. Prince Rainier handed her strong hand and led them to introduce them to his charges, who were freely located in the enclosures of the luxurious zoo. With the same strong hand he fearlessly stroked the huge saber tooth tiger. Flashes of cameras illuminated the heroes' walk until late in the evening.

They said goodbye. And Grace, to all questions about the impression made on her by the prince, modestly and cautiously answered: “He is very charming”...

The next day, she thanked Rainier III in a letter, he responded to her immediately. The secret correspondence continued for about six months; no one suspected that the cold beauty had started such an adventure - to make one of the most prominent European suitors fall in love with her. But she didn’t start anything, she really liked this heir of the Grimaldi family, not a very prosperous family, moreover, known for its scandalous reputation.

The prince was already over thirty, and the court needed an heir. Rainier did not avoid women, but he had not yet found a worthy one; Grace seemed to him sweet and, moreover, extremely reliable and decent. And he, like every admirer of her talent, had a sensible thought: “You can live with this woman until old age.” He made up his mind, he crossed the ocean to visit the Kelly family and ask for Grace's hand in marriage.

Christmas was approaching. Just at this time, the actress was filming the film “The Swan,” where she played a girl marrying a prince. Significant story. Grace, like a true Catholic, was sensitive to the signs of fate and prepared to follow them.

On January 5, 1956, the engagement took place. Was signed marriage contract. Rainier's mother, Princess Charlotte, expressed her desire to become a second mother to Grace.

The last film in which the bride starred was called symbolically - “High Society”. Grace's partner was our old friend - the inimitable Frank Sinatra. After the end of filming, the MGM studio presented the future Princess of Monaco with all the outfits in which she was filmed.

"Wedding of the Century"

The carefully written script of this wedding deserves a special prize from the most picky jury. April 12, 1956. Grace Kelly, accompanied by sixty friends and all members of her family, sets off on an ocean liner

"Constitution" towards your happiness. Happiness meets the long-awaited bride on his own yacht. Rainier carries Grace onto his deck, hundreds of guns salute them, the plane showers the young and crowds of enthusiastic spectators with thousands of red and white carnations.

Thirty photographers and cameramen, without being distracted for a minute, record the brilliant ceremony for history.

Exactly a week later, the wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Hollywood star Grace Kelly took place in St. Nicholas Cathedral. The bride clutched a bouquet of immaculate white lilies of the valley in her hands. The MGM studio made a wonderful film, as promised, and the ceremony itself was broadcast on live in nine European countries.

“When I married Prince Rainier, I married a person, not what he was or who he was. I fell in love with him without thinking about all this,” Grace wrote many years later in her diary.

The honeymoon took place without annoying cameras. Rainier even grew a skipper's beard, and Grace again felt like a simple, almost village girl.

Exactly nine months later, the newlyweds had a daughter, Caroline. She looked strikingly like her father. And he is a fearless tamer saber tooth tigers, almost burst into tears when I first held the tiny envelope with my dark-skinned daughter in my arms.

And a year and two months later, an heir, Albert, was born.

A national holiday was declared in Monaco.

“The hardest thing for me was to become a normal person again after so many years acting life"- admitted Grace.

How normal person she wanted to be faithful wife and a caring mother, especially since in 1965 another daughter, Stefania, was born. The same Stefania who will be next to her mother in her last moments.

In the meantime, Grace, picking up a movie camera, carefully and meticulously records the moments of their family life. Not festive ones - the most everyday ones: winter skiing and summer yachting and swimming. Domestic - with kittens and puppies, and plein air - on the grass and in the shade of trees.

"I don't like looking back."

She really preferred happy memories rather than regrets about the past. And so they lived: Rainier ruled the country, and Grace built their little world without losing touch with the world. They ruled together for 26 years. This is a lot for constant cloudless happiness. It started in Monaco new life, which raised the tiny principality to world level. And the Rainier family settled high in a mountainous estate, hidden from the annoying paparazzi. Here too, the husband took care of his beloved animals and taught his little son to master modern technical “tricks.” And he affectionately called his wife “the coordinator of household chores.”

The sea attracted the Grimaldi family. They spent all family vacations on yachts named after their children. They behaved on the yachts like ordinary sailors, all on equal terms. “In the morning, everyone makes their bed. The first one to get up prepares breakfast for everyone” - these were the laws of the family yacht routine. There were quiet joys in this house. The children and their mother loved to create collages from flowers. Grace even received the nickname “Queen of Flowers.” This queen spoke confidentially with her dumb “subjects”, could not part with them for a long time and dried flowers between the pages of telephone directories. Flowers and poetry were two passions of Rainier's childhood. She guessed them; she herself devoted herself to these two passions all her life.

Grace created comfort around herself and was not at all interested in politics. And the economy managed even better without it. Only charity occasionally required close attention and control.

The Monegasques were in love with their princess. She also organized palace tea parties with elderly subjects and visited orphanages. And she didn’t need to visit the prison - the last prisoner was mercifully released on the eve of their wedding.

Grace's personality attracted more and more fans of her talent to the small principality, as well as simply curious people from all over the world. Luxurious, loud balls reigned in Monaco. Ella Fitzgerald, Maurice Chevalier, Harry Belafonte, Charles Aznavour - the names of these guests were increasingly heard in the princely halls.

In honor of Grace's fortieth birthday in 1969, one of the most luxurious balls was given - the Scorpio Ball. The guests of honor were family friends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The magnificent outfits of the guests, and above all the elegant hostess, were exquisite works of art. It is no coincidence that, even many years later, these outfits are exhibited at exhibitions and invariably arouse admiration.

When just regular balls no longer aroused interest, Grace came up with themed masquerades. Guests had to arrive in pre-announced costumes and perform impromptu performances. She still remained an actress - this little princess, as another old friend of ours lovingly called her - “The Snow Queen” Greta Garbo. Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev often shone in these “home” performances. One day they are dressed up ordinary fishermen were not recognized either by the guests or even by the security. As a result, they were simply not allowed into the palace, so Grace herself, who happened to be nearby, had to intervene.

The guests felt very at ease here in the palace. No strangers, no paparazzi. All the photographs that we can see only now were taken by the spouses themselves - Grace and Rainier. And they were kept in family albums behind seven small elegant locks.
Special albums were saved for posterity and congratulations from friends. Unprotocol, humorous and intimate. Bright drawings, cheerful dedications - like in every home, like in every family, if not for the signatures worldwide famous celebrities: Marc Chagall, Mstislav Rostropovich, Frank Sinatra.

Grace had a particularly touching friendship with Maria Callas. During her passionate romance with Aristotle Onassis, they often vacationed with their spouses on the famous yacht “Christina”. The photographs preserved the singer’s serenely happy face. Several years passed, and already in the ruins of this novel, only Grace continued to be friends with Maria, and only she, of all high-ranking persons, saw her off on her last journey.
Grace was repeatedly asked to return to cinema and take part in new films. She refused, but nevertheless voiced a commentary on the film about the ballet “Children from Theater Street,” which was nominated for an Oscar. She enthusiastically records records for children, takes part in the Edinburgh Festival. And finally, in the Vatican, Princess Grace reads a text about Christmas - this was her last appearance in public.

“I don’t like quarrels...”

“I don’t like quarrels, I don’t know how to argue, it’s easier for me to avoid discord,” she liked to repeat, and it was true.

As you might guess, Prince Rainier did not have an angelic character. In addition, over the years, he became jealous of his wife for worldwide and national fame, but especially for popularity. And even more - to love. Over the years, something strange happened in this family - he grew old, she did not. She still remained young and beautiful, despite the approaching years. Grace did not want to look too far ahead. “It’s better not to talk about the future - this is the surest way to ruin it,” she often said, laughing.

The children grew up and began to look less and less like angels. Although the eldest Caroline and Albert inherited the best and most non-conflict traits of both parents. But the youngest, Stefania, grew up willful and unbridled. She often fell in love, and with the most notorious womanizers. Her mother tried to reason with her, but more and more often they collided with each other - two beautiful women in completely ugly quarrels and insults.

WITH On a sunny September day in 1982, Grace and her youngest daughter left the gates of the Roc-Agel castle. Why the princess got behind the wheel herself, dismissing the driver, one can only guess. She must have wanted to talk to Stefania alone. The car rushed along mountain road at breakneck speed and fatally missed a sharp turn. A second - and the car fell into the abyss.

Stefania remained alive; she got out of the car on her own and tried unsuccessfully to rescue her mother. But, alas, the fatal inevitability - no one could help Grace. She was taken to the hospital, but despite efforts the best doctors, she did not regain consciousness.

A few days later, Rainier ordered not to prolong her torment, and all medical equipment artificially supporting her smoldering life was turned off.

Principality, princess favorite, friends loved by the princess, family loved by the princess - suddenly became orphans.
Prince Rainier III died in April 2005 at the age of 81. He ruled the principality for 56 years. And without his princess, he lived alone for 23 long years.

Their life together surrounded by numerous rumors, fictions and conjectures. No one ever learned the whole truth about the princess and the stern prince.

“Fairy tales are fictional stories. I am a living person. I exist. If anyone tells the story of my life as a story real woman, people will finally understand who I really am,” Grace really hoped.

Monuments to Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III November 21st, 2015

“My parents did more for the principality than all my father’s predecessors in the entire history of Monaco. They achieved everything together. They greatly raised the prestige of the principality. It's hard for me to put it into words, but look around and you'll see how things have changed here. It used to be a sleepy place on the seashore, living entirely off tourists. It is now a small but vibrant thriving town, rather than just another stop on a tourist route.”
Albert in "The Princess of Monaco" by Geoffrey Robinson

Rainier III is the 33rd ruler of Monaco and the oldest ruling dynasty in Europe. Although in the all-knowing Wikipedia it is written about him like this - " 13th Prince of Monaco from 1949 to 2005 of the Grimaldi dynasty"He assumed the princely throne after his grandfather, Prince Louis II, died on May 9, 1949. Formally, Rainier's mother, Princess Charlotte, was the heir to the title, but she renounced the throne in favor of her son.
Died: April 6, 2005 at the age of 81. For 55 years he was “at the helm” of his small principality.

The monument to Prince Rainier III near the Prince's Palace represents a bronze figure of the prince in full height who is holding a hat in his hands.

About Grace Kelly on Wikipedia - “The 10th Princess of Monaco, the mother of the now reigning Prince Albert II. She has a little more than 10 films to her credit, but she also has one Oscar (“The Country Girl” in the “ Best Actress of the year"), and the glory of the highest-grossing actress of her time."
In 1956, Grace Kelly marries Rainier III and becomes Princess of Monaco (before that American actress even knew about the existence of this principality-state, so even her parents confused Monaco and Morocco at first).
In 1982, she died in a car accident. She was buried on September 18 in the Grimaldi family crypt in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco. The prince outlived his wife by more than twenty years, and now they rest side by side...

And next to it, between the slabs, is their wedding portrait...

Monument to Grace Kelly on the waterfront of Monaco...

Another sculpture by Kees Verkade is located in the Grace Kelly Rose Garden in the grounds of Fontvieille Gardens.
The rose garden was opened on June 18, 1984 with the participation of Prince Rainier III.


(photo from the Internet)

There are even several varieties of roses that Grace Kelly loved so much, which are dedicated to her...
In honor of the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly in 1956, the world's leading rose production and selection company, the House of Meilland, dedicated the rose "Grace de Monaco" to the Princess of Monaco.

(photo from the Internet)

Later, when opening a flower exhibition in 1981, Grace Kelly called this variety the best of all the roses presented. Meiyang immediately announced that from now on the rose would be called “Princess of Monaco.” The variety has several synonyms - "Princess Grace", "Princesse Grace de Monaco", "Grace Kelly".

But it wasn't just roses that Grace loved. All flowers are like a true woman.
Breeders all over the world, knowing about Grace Kelly’s extraordinary love for flowers, named their new products after her. This is how Alstroemeria "Princesse Monaco" appeared...

(photo from the Internet)

Peony "Red Grace"

(photo from the Internet)

Iris "Mogambo", named after the film of the same name starring actress Grace Kelly.

(photo from the Internet)

However, not only sculptures remind us of the heroes of this post, but also numerous photographs of past years...
Here, near the entrance to the Japanese Garden, is a photo of Grace planting a tree...

It is no coincidence that it is located on Princess Grace Avenue.

Here Princess Grace Theater near the port...

Once upon a time, in 1931, a cinema hall was opened. The theater hall with 378 seats was opened on February 1, 1932. Edith Piaf, Elvira Popescu and many other stars of the 30s and 40s performed on its stage.
At the end of the 70s, according to the design of Princess Grace, the interior of the hall was completely changed. On December 17, 1981, the grand opening of the theater took place, which received tragic death Princess is her name.

Here Exotic Garden Monaco (Jardin Exotique de Monaco) and again family archival photo at the entrance...

Hospitals and libraries in Monaco are named after her.

Surprisingly, the monument to both - “Weddings of the Century” (the author of the monument is Andrey Kovalchuk) - was erected not in Monaco, but near the registry office on the Bruges embankment in Yoshkar-Ola (Republic of Mari El, Russia). Just where is Monaco and where is Mari El...

The opening of such a monument was explained here as follows: "Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco are an example of a married couple. In life, you need to look up to someone, take an example."
Sometimes adults need fairy tales to look up to.
For patriots I will say that

In the fairy tale of Cinderella, in any of its variations, the prince is assigned a secondary role. His main virtue is that he is a prince. Yes, he fell in love with Cinderella. But I would try not to fall in love with such a kind, beautiful, hardworking girl who walked towards her happiness through suffering and trials! The public is not very interested in the prince in himself; he is only a necessary attribute for the happiness of the main character.

Hollywood star Grace Kelly, who became the Princess of Monaco, is the main Cinderella of the 20th century. Her husband, Louis-Henri-Maxence-Bertrand Grimaldi, better known as Prince Rainier III, experienced first-hand what it's like to be a supporting character.

Born to Order

He was born in Monaco on May 31, 1923. His grandfather ruled the principality at that time, Louis II. It is curious that my grandfather, like Louis II from Alla Pugacheva’s song, had problems with the possibility of marrying for love. As heir to the throne, Louis fell in love with a cabaret singer. Not only is the profession Marie Juliette Louvet was unsuitable, since she was also a “divorcee” with two children.

The result of Louis and Marie's whirlwind romance was the birth of Charlotte's daughters. But the heir to the throne did not have enough courage: he abandoned his mistress and daughter, fearing that for his adventures he would be deprived of his rights to the throne.

But fate played a cruel joke on him: the fact is that Louis desperately needed an heir. According to the agreement with France, in the event of the suppression of the princely dynasty, Monaco was to come under the rule of Paris.

The father told Louis: if there is no heir (or at least an heiress), then you will not receive the throne. Driven into a corner, Louis remembered his illegitimate daughter, who by that time was already 20 years old. Charlotte was given the title of Duchess of Valentinois and urgently began to look for a suitable groom. The choice fell on Pierre de Polignac, the son of a French count and a hot Mexican woman. The wedding took place in March 1920, and soon the couple had their first child. To the disappointment of Louis and everyone in Monaco, it was a girl. But the whole combination was conceived in the name of the boy!

Pierre and Charlotte had to try, and in May 1923 they gave birth to Louis-Henri-Maxence-Bertrand... In general, the future Rainier III.

Raising an ideal prince

Rainier's mother Charlotte did not dream of a crown, and she was not delighted with her husband. Being formally the heir to the throne, she was relieved to renounce her rights to it on the day her son turned 21. When Rainier ascended the throne, she left Monaco, spending the last three decades of her life in Paris.

Rainier was born as a result of such complex combinations that he had little chance of being an ordinary child. less than zero. Monaco wanted a well-prepared prince with an excellent education, good manners and high moral principles.

He studied in Great Britain, then in private school Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland and at the Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Politiques in France.

In September 1944, 21-year-old Rainier enlisted as an officer in the French army and took part in the military campaign against Nazi Germany in Alsace.

In May 1949, Louis II died, and his grandson ascended the throne under the name of Prince Rainier III.

In love by choice

Monaco was nowhere near the billionaire's paradise it is now known as. The young prince was faced with a difficult task: to make sure that the state stood firmly on its feet. But there was no oil or other minerals in the tiny territory, and things weren’t very good with attractions either. Aristotle Onassis, a friend of the prince and a billionaire, was convinced that Rainier was capable of turning the principality by the sea into a world pearl. To do this, you just need to attract the attention of the world. When the prince asked how to do this, Aristotle thoughtfully said:

— The best thing, of course, is a princely wedding. So that some world movie star becomes the bride. Marilyn Monroe, for example, or Grace Kelly.

Rainier just grinned. But stupid people don't become billionaires.

In 1955, during the Cannes Film Festival, a meeting was organized between Grace Kelly and Rainier III. Apparently, they were brought together by the actress’s agents and the prince’s officials, who needed the event, so to speak, “for show.” Both were late and extremely irritated. Grace's hotel power went out while she was drying her hair. As a result, she came to a meeting with the ruler of Monaco in a rumpled dress and with a bun on her head. Rainier, who had a busy day with a lot of events, dreamed of only one thing: to exchange duty pleasantries with the lady and go to bed.

He saw her a little earlier than she expected. Grace, like an exemplary schoolgirl, rehearsed at the mirror the polite bow with which she should greet the prince. Rainier smiled and felt sympathy for this pretty blonde.

What followed was a conversation during which they surprised each other. Grace discovered that the prince was in fact an attractive young man, calm, reasonable, confident and well versed in cinema. Rainier, in turn, realized that a movie star is not a “dummy”, but educated person with a broad outlook.

Grace Kelly and Rainier III. 1956 Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Virginity test

A correspondence began, and with each new letter, Rainier realized that he was increasingly drawn to Grace. Talk about her numerous novels did not bother the prince. After all, his own mother was illegitimate, so it was stupid to pose in a pose of outraged innocence. In addition, he remembered the words of his friend Onassis and realized that there was a great chance to combine the personal and the state.

December 25, 1955 triple Olympic champion and American millionaire industrialist Jack Kelly hosted the Prince of Monaco in his home. Legend has it that Jack, who rose from the very bottom, did not understand who was in front of him, deciding that Rainier was the Prince of Morocco. Even so, the Lord of Monaco was not offended and carried out what he came for, officially proposing to Grace. The movie star agreed.

Yes, Rainier III took a very conventional Cinderella as his wife. The bride's dowry, allocated by the parents, amounted to 2 million dollars: they don’t write about this in fairy tales. Jack Kelly and his wife, through the marriage of their daughter, received a pass to high society, where they, the descendants of Irish immigrants, had not been favored before.

From this moment on, Rainier III for many will become the villain who imprisoned the beautiful Grace Kelly in “ golden cage" And the bars of this cage first hurt the girl on the eve of the wedding. The rules required the bride to undergo a medical examination to determine her ability to produce offspring, and also, excuse me, a virginity test.

With the first everything turned out to be in order, but about the second, Rainier was well aware even without an examination. For him, this procedure was a pure formality, but Grace experienced not the most pleasant moments.

Wedding of Rainier III and Grace Kelly. Photo: Youtube frame.

Oh, this wedding, this wedding...

Smoothed everything out luxury wedding, which was played in April 1956. Perhaps it was the most magnificent celebration in Europe in the 20th century. One bride's dress took one hundred meters of antique lace, which was bought from the storerooms of a French museum by order of Rainier. The events began a few days before the wedding itself. During the meeting on the pier, where Grace got off the ocean liner, red and white carnations rained down from the sky on the bride and groom: the restless Aristotle Onassis tried to do this.

Thousands of guests were invited to the wedding: members of royal families, millionaires, Hollywood stars and producers, politicians...

The wedding became one big worldwide advertisement for Monaco. Aristotle Onassis gave the newlyweds a luxurious yacht on which they went on their honeymoon.

What do they write in fairy tales in this place? “They lived happily ever after and died on the same day.” Wise authors do not specify what exactly “happily ever after” looks like.

Rainier III went down in the history of Monaco as the “prince-builder”. A new station, restoration of the old port, construction of a new quarter of Fontvieille, for which the territory of the principality was increased by 22 hectares using fill soil, and much more.

Tourists and rich people were eager to take a look at the state where the “Cinderella from Hollywood” became the princess, and Rainier III created comfortable conditions for them.

While Grace paid for her marriage with her career, her desire for privacy cost her her life. Wanting to talk face to face with her youngest daughter Stefania, who refused to study to become a fashion designer because she was going to learn to drive racing cars with her son Belmondo, Grace did something she usually didn’t do: she got behind the wheel of the car herself. The ending of this trip was tragic.

Happy together

The Principality flourished, and Rainier was happy. And Grace?

At first, definitely. She liked to play the role of a princess, participate in events in this role, and do charity work.

The people of Monaco loved her, although she made them nervous. The couple's first child in 1957 was a girl, who was named Carolina. But Rainier reassured the people: don’t worry, there will be a boy. And when he was born in 1958 Prince Albert, Monegasques began to idolize Princess Grace.

But still they were too different. Calm and balanced Rainier preferred the silence of home, while Grace's temperament required intense emotions. Tell me, what kind of emotions can there be in family life if the husband’s main hobby is collecting stamps?

Rainier was indeed an avid philatelist and in his later years even became an honorary member of the European Academy of Philately. But over time, Grace could no longer see her husband fiddling with pieces of paper instead of spending time with her and the children.

In 1965, a second daughter was born, who was named Stephanie.

Offers came from Hollywood to resume her acting career, but in Monaco they believed that their princess should not appear on screen unless it was a protocol shoot.

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Big kids are big troubles

Rainier behaved like a classic husband. He believed that the duties of the princess and raising three children could not leave time for anything else.

But raising children was difficult. Grace honestly tried to raise classic princes and princesses, but Albert and his sisters grew up rebels. The easiest way is to say that they are to blame mom's genes. But haven’t we forgotten about Louis II and his illegitimate daughter?

The eldest daughter Caroline, a lover of equestrian sports and alpine skiing, at the age of 20 she scandalously married a Parisian banker, divorced two years later and went on a rampage, changing lovers like gloves. Albert, the heir to the throne, kicked a soccer ball, tried himself in judo and bobsled, and did not miss a single girl who was eager to share the bed with the prince.

Stefania, the youngest, was too young for lovemaking, but she walked around exclusively in jeans and frightened respectable Monegasques by rushing through the streets of the principality on a motorcycle.

Rainier was convinced that this whole nightmare was the result of insufficient control on the part of the mother. Grace, tired of all this, began to spend a lot of time away from her husband, in Paris, appearing only at obligatory official events. This suited the prince quite well. Their marriage had passed a quarter of a century, and he took such cooling calmly. The main thing is that this did not affect the affairs of the principality in any way.

Catastrophe

On September 13, 1982, the 1980 Rover SD1 (3500V8) in which Grace and Stefania were driving lost control, went off a sharp turn and fell onto the side of a mountain.

Stephanie's condition did not raise any concerns, but rescuers removed Grace unconscious and with serious injuries. On September 14, she died in a hospital in Monaco.

The broadcast of her funeral was watched by 100 million viewers. Funeral ceremony attended by movie stars, politicians and members royal families, brought Monaco back to the world's attention.

Rainier was scary to look at. “With the death of the princess, emptiness entered my life,” he would say later. Always cheerful and energetic, he aged in a few days.

Only in fairy tales can a prince revive his beloved with a kiss of love. Even the biggest miracle could not bring Grace back.

Rainier III, Albert, Caroline, Stephanie, Nancy Reagan and Robert Adams at the unveiling of the Princess Grace monument at the National Portrait Gallery in October 1986. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Twenty years of solitude

“I am destined to outlive you and grieve forever,” the Wizard from “An Ordinary Miracle” said to his wife.

Rainier III outlived his wife by 22 and a half years. When she died, he was not even 60. But neither new novels nor, especially, a second marriage happened in the life of the Prince of Monaco. He remained faithful to the one who last years life doubted his feelings.

Rainier left the children alone, despite the fact that their personal lives were going topsy-turvy. Only Albert asked to finally start a family, so as not to create a dynastic crisis. When he realized that his son could not be persuaded, he decided that the matter would somehow be settled. In the end, the eldest daughter Caroline pleased her father with grandchildren back in the eighties.

In the nineties, Rainier began serious problems with his health, and he was even a little happy about it. Illness allowed him to attend obligatory events less often, which he lost interest in after Grace’s death. Gradually he began to delegate responsibilities to public administration Albert.

Rainier III died on April 6, 2005, having found peace next to his beloved wife. His dreams of transforming the principality came true, but it is unlikely that they would have come true without the one who is considered “the main Cinderella of the 20th century.”

ALL PHOTOS

The daughters gave the prince seven grandchildren and granddaughters, but Crown Prince Albert, who was entrusted with the functions of regent due to his father’s illness, remains a bachelor at 47 years old and is considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Europe
Le Figaro

After long illness Prince Rainier III of Monaco died this morning in a Monaco hospital. 81-year-old Prince Rainier III of the Grimaldi dynasty was the oldest European monarch. On March 7, he was admitted to the Cardiopulmonary Center of Monaco due to an acute bronchopulmonary infection. .

Subsequently due to sharp deterioration condition and degradation of the basic functions of the body, the patient was transferred to intensive care, where he spent the rest of his life, Sky News reports.

The Monaco monarch suffered several heart attacks and underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. Complications of a cardiac nature gradually provoked disturbances in the bronchopulmonary system, and Rainier III underwent a number of operations on the lungs.

A 7-day mourning period has already been declared in Monaco. Throughout the territory of the principality, state flags are flown at half-mast. It is not yet known on what day Prince Rainier's funeral will take place.

The Council of the Crown of Monaco, having stated “the impossibility of Prince Rainier III fulfilling his high duties,” a few days ago appointed his son, 47-year-old Crown Prince Albert, as regent. The Crown Prince received higher education in the USA in the field of political and economic sciences. He is interested in art, philosophy and psychology. Passed military service in the French Navy.

Prince Albert is an excellent athlete, has a black belt in judo, in the past he competed at the Olympic Games for the country's bobsled team, and participated in the Paris-Dakar rally. He is a member of the commission for athletics International Olympic Committee.

Crown Prince Albert, who is entrusted with the functions of regent, remains a bachelor at 47 years old and is considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Europe. Besides him, the prince has two more daughters - Princesses Caroline and Stephanie - and several grandchildren. The wife of the ruler of Monaco, Hollywood film star Grace Kelly, died in a car accident many years ago.

The ruler of Monaco, Prince Rainier III, held many high-profile titles, including Duke of Valentin, Count of Carlade and Baron du Buis.

He was born on May 31, 1923 and was christened Louis-Henri-Maxence-Bertrand Grimaldi. His parents were Princess Charlotte of Monaco and Prince Pierre de Polignac, who had been officially given the title of Grimaldi a few years earlier.

The future ruler of the dwarf principality received his education in Great Britain, Switzerland and France, where he graduated, in particular, from the prestigious Science-Po - High school political sciences in Paris.

He assumed the princely throne after his grandfather, Prince Louis II, died on May 9, 1949. Formally, Rainier's mother, Princess Charlotte, was the heir to the title, but she abdicated the throne in favor of her son.

In 1956, Prince Rainier married Hollywood film star Grace Kelly. The couple had three children: Princess Caroline, born in 1957, Crown Prince Albert (1958) and Princess Stephanie (1965).

In 1982, the prince's wife died tragically in a car accident, and Princess Stephanie, who was in the car with her, was seriously injured.

As the tabloid press wrote, it was Stefania who was driving the car and became the culprit of the disaster, but this version was never officially confirmed.

Currently, Carolina and Stefania, whose stormy personal life has been the subject of constant attention from paparazzi photographers for many years, are married, and Stefania is already for the fourth time.

The daughters gave the prince seven grandchildren and granddaughters, but Crown Prince Albert, who was entrusted with the functions of regent due to his father’s illness, remains a bachelor at 47 years old and is considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Europe.

The name of Rainier III is associated with the economic and tourist prosperity of Monaco. Before him, the main source of income for the dwarf principality was the world-famous casino in Monte Carlo (part of Monaco). It was even rumored that during the Second World War this casino was used by the authorities of Nazi Germany to launder wealth looted from the occupied territories, and the authorities of Monaco received their percentage from these operations, RIA Novosti writes.

In 1966, the ruler of Monaco bought from the Greek multimillionaire Aristotle Onassis his stake in the Sea Bathing Society, which was the official owner of the casino, and became the majority shareholder, thus strengthening his control over the gaming business.

For all that, Monaco has enjoyed a reputation as a “tax haven” for many years. Only relatively recently did the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) remove the principality from its blacklist of countries that do not cooperate properly in the fight against laundering of dubious proceeds.

In addition to the casino, the prince paid much attention to the development of transport networks and housing construction. On the Rock, as Monaco is sometimes called, modern multi-storey buildings appeared, in which everyone square meter costs big money, was built new station, carried out great work for port reconstruction. All this activity earned Rainier III the nickname “prince-builder.” The area of ​​the dwarf state is only 200 hectares, and the population today is 32 thousand people, of which only 7676 are actually Monegasques, that is, citizens of Monaco.

In 1993, Monaco was admitted to the UN, and in 2004 it joined the Council of Europe. This latest international action was due more to Crown Prince Albert than to Rainier III himself, who in recent years had experienced serious health problems and transferred some of the functions of governing the principality to his son.

Back in the 1990s, the prince underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, and in addition, part of his lung was removed. Over the past two years, he has been hospitalized several times due to illnesses. respiratory tract, because of which the prince began to appear in public much less often.

What girl doesn't dream of meeting her prince one day! The beautiful actress Grace Kelly managed to meet her love in the person of the 33-year-old Prince of Monaco and built a relationship with him strong family. The union was considered ideal, but Grace in marriage was like the most happy woman at the beginning, and unhappy, like a bird imprisoned in a golden cage, at the end of life.

On the wedding anniversary, which took place on April 19, 1956, HELLO.RU recalls the love story of one of the most beautiful couples of the last century - Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier.

Click on the photo to view the gallery She is like a volcano under the snow. Behind her coldness lies an unimaginable heat of passion. Grace Kelly was born in 1929 into a wealthy American family. Her father was a construction worker, and her mother, from whom she inherited her beautiful appearance, was a fashion model. The future princess, living in a luxurious mansion in one of the most prestigious areas of Philadelphia, was eager to be free. She wanted creativity, fame and a little madness.

Little Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly first appeared on stage while studying at a religious college, where she received a strict education, even for those times. After graduation, Grace went to New York. It seemed to her that one day the whole world would lie at her feet. And so it happened, but not immediately. At first there were hundreds of trials, failures and falls. Grace did not lose heart, worked part-time as a fashion model and at the same time learned the basics of theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Grace had a truly amazing appearance: porcelain skin, high cheekbones, big eyes, a chiseled nose, sensual lips and a slim body. She skillfully emphasized her appearance with the help of exquisite outfits. Later Tommy Hilfiger will say about her:

Grace Kelly is the one Hollywood actress, who wore white gloves so naturally and gracefully. Even at home, alone with herself, she remained consistently glamorous and elegant. She dressed elegantly and femininely, loving pastel-colored clothes and wide-brimmed hats.

At the age of 20, Grace received her first role on Broadway. And two years later - a coveted role on television. Another two years have passed, and she has already become an Oscar nominee for her work in the film Mogambo. She did not receive the award then. But still, in her small but bright acting career, one Oscar appeared - for the film “The Country Girl” in 1954.

Even the actress’s father, Jack Kelly, couldn’t believe such a quick and unexpected success:

I just can't believe Grace won an Oscar. Of all my four children, she is the one from whom I least expected help in my old age.

Grace Kelly, 1952

The most striking, and subsequently used in many films, was the image of a girl adventurer. Alfred Hitchcock was the first to discover the “gold mine” and Grace’s talent for working in a similar genre.

Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock with wife Alma Reville, 1954 Grace's career, which was gaining momentum, could have brought her many golden statuettes and prestigious awards, but it could have ended along with the fading of youth and beauty, so important in the acting world.

Grace herself was afraid of age, repeating:
Forty years is torture and the end for a woman. Be that as it may, she met Rainier in the prime of her life and at the peak of her career - at 27 years old. Brilliantly educated, intelligent and gallant - his manners revealed him as the aristocrat that he was. Already at the age of 26 he ascended the throne of Monaco. After the death of Louis II, Rainier's mother, who was technically the heir, abdicated the throne in favor of her young son.

Grace Kelly and Rainier III

Rainier and Grace met at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955 during the visit of a delegation of actors to the Prince of Monaco.

As the spouses themselves later recalled, that day both had Bad mood. Grace seemed to get off on the wrong foot, and on the way to the meeting she even got into a small car accident. Rainier also had minor problems since the morning. But meeting Grace “lit up his day,” as Rainier himself put it.

Grace Kelly, 1955

Their romance did not begin immediately; it was preceded by a long and interesting correspondence. Grace was very pleased with the courtship and romantic letters, she noted that Rainier writes letters to the living and in easy language. He told her about the life of the monarch, talked about his castle and garden, describing everything, right down to the aroma of flowers.

But it was probably not only the romanticism of the young prince. Of course, he was fascinated by Grace, but being the sole ruler, he understood the importance and necessity of marriage. And the beautiful and fragile Grace seemed to him the best candidate.

A few months later, Rainier got ready and came to Philadelphia, where Grace’s parents lived, to make an official proposal to his beloved.

I found my princess
- said Rainier that day.

Grace and Rainier's engagement party at the Kelly family home in Philadelphia

Grace agreed without hesitation, and soon stepped aboard an inter-Atlantic liner, which took her, along with her beloved poodle, close friends and personal hairdresser, straight to the dwarf state.

The actress's parents did not immediately accept her decision, believing that marriage to the prince of such a small state was a step back in her career. And her potential suitors were richer, for example, several years before that he asked for her hand in marriage Arab sheikh with a huge fortune.

Be that as it may, a week after Grace arrived in Monaco - on April 19, 1956 - a magnificent wedding took place, after which a new life began, in which there was no longer a place for Hollywood. Grace Kelly became Princess of Monaco.

Wedding of Grace and Rainier, 1956

Rainier and Grace managed to fulfill the often unattainable dream of other monarchs - to become a truly loving married couple. Although there were those who doubted the sincerity of their feelings, saying that Grace does not love Rainier, but is only trying and learning to love him. There were also those who believed that the beauty’s heart belonged to ex-lover- fashion designer Oleg Cassini.

Be that as it may, Grace did everything to make their family look impeccable. The subjects of Monaco immediately accepted the new princess, who was so good at smoothing out rough edges in her husband’s negotiations, and also had the ability to win over anyone.

The birth of her children, daughter Caroline in 1957, and son Albert in 1958, increased the number of her fans. The citizens of Monaco idolized their princess: she was young, beautiful, and during her appearances with the people, any person from the crowd could shake her hand.

Grace Kelly and Rainier with Albert and Caroline, 1958 After the birth of her youngest daughter, Stephanie, Grace was again offered to act in films, and her favorite director, Alfred Hitchcock, did it. But the princess could not decide to take such a serious step without consulting her new family- residents of Monaco. The public did not support the idea, calling the plan terribly frivolous. Of course, Grace had to refuse the role, because her image, so carefully built over the years, could suddenly collapse.

Kelly justified all the hopes placed on her by her subjects, becoming for Rainier ideal wife. Grace was actively involved in charity work, patronized the arts and gave birth to heirs, and her world fame and American spontaneity led to the increased popularity of Monaco. Grace Kelly was very loved, she was considered the standard of style and feminine charm.

Grace Kelly, Rainier III, Albert and CarolineGrace Kelly with Caroline and Albert

Life went on as usual, but over time it was no longer possible to call the relationship between Grace and Rainier impeccable. Over the years, the prince became withdrawn, practically abandoned social appearances and spent most of his time in the castle with his beloved pets.

Grace, being a sociable person, really wanted to share her thoughts and ideas with people, she constantly held meetings and communicated with others. And Rainier was jealous, believing that the people of Monaco loved his wife more than himself.

At the age of 40, Grace suffered from depression - as she once expected, the crisis associated with the fading of beauty did not escape her. By this time, the children had already grown up, and the couple began to have public scandals more and more often, which greatly upset Grace, who loved the ideal in everything.

Grace Kelly with her husband and daughters Stefania and Caroline Caroline had a loud and scandalous marriage behind her, Albert, who was the future heir, was not interested in anything other than sports and girls, and the youngest daughter Stefania grew up a “tomboy” - she rode a motorcycle and despised feminine clothes. The image of an impeccable family that Grace had so diligently built was crumbling. She no longer considered her life fabulous and her family ideal, although she tried not to show her disappointment to the public.

Grace Kelly, Rainier III and Stefania

Shortly before the disaster that claimed her life, Grace, according to contemporaries, took a lover in Paris and practically moved to live with him. In the end life path she dreamed of only one thing - to resume acting career. Her violent and restless nature, which had been hidden for so long behind the façade of the impregnable “snow queen,” was rushing out.

On a clear autumn day on September 13, 1980, Grace and her daughter Stephanie were in an accident. The princess, who had used the services of a driver all her life, decided to drive the car herself that day - under the pretext of a serious conversation with her daughter. On the way, Grace had a stroke and lost control.

Prince Rainier III with his daughter Caroline Celebrities and monarchs from America and Europe came to the princess's funeral. local residents they cried right in the streets, and Rainier walked arm in arm with his daughter and did not hide his tears.
Lord, I don't ask you why you took her from me, but I thank you for giving her to us. - these words were spoken at Grace’s grave by her husband, Prince of Monaco Rainier III.

Rainier outlived his wife by a quarter of a century, dying in April 2005.

Grace would have turned 85 this year and Rainier would have turned 91. And their fabulous, but not ideal marriage would have been 58 years old.