Monaco, the exclusive principality on the French Riviera is perhaps best known for its links to Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Grace, or Princess Grace as she became known, married into Monaco’s royal family, the Grimaldi Dynasty, when she was 26 years old. Thursday marks what would have been her 90th birthday, but the Princess tragically died in a car accident in 1982.
Before becoming a Princess, Grace was already a famous face around the globe.
Entering the acting world during the Golden Age of Television, Grace excelled in Hollywood, appearing in 11 films and two theatre productions.
After being courted while shooting a film abroad, she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.
The couple went on to have three children: Caroline, Albert and Stephanie.
Many times has Prince Albert – Monaco’s current crown prince – mused on his idyllic upbringing under Grace.
He has offered messages to his mother in the years following her death, hoping she is proud of him.
In 2012, during an interview with CNN, Albert gave an extremely personal and heartbreaking assessment of his mother unlike ever before.
When asked how he would describe Grace from his memory, Albert said: “She was the most warm, gracious, engaging person.
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It isn’t the first time the pair’s close bond was aired on television.
In the documentary ‘Privacy and Power: A year In The Life Of Prince Albert Of Monaco’, the principality’s chief archivist read aloud a Mother’s Day card from a young Albert to Grace.
Thomas Fouilleron, the archives minder, read: “Dear mummy, I’d like to tell you all that I feel in my heart, but I can only smile and offer these flowers.
“I clasp you in my two small arms – it’s much better than a long speech.
“All I want to say is that I love you.
“Happy Mother’s Day.”
Another piece he came across is a drawing by Albert, also from his childhood.
Mr Fouilleron said: “These are won engravings he did in year ten.
“The cowboy and Indian are likely to be a family reference to the US.”
