Princess Grace's Legacy

[Kitty1224]

How can you compare them, when they were from different generations, Grace born in 1929 and Diana in 1961. They lived in totally different countries and had totally different positions, Grace was the wife of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, the ruler of the Principality and Diana was the wife of the Prince of Wales.

But they are both one of the most famous princesses of the 20th century.

 

[Curryong]

So is it the level of fame you are comparing?

 

[Lee-Z]

But they are both one of the most famous princesses of the 20th century.

What makes a princesses "good" is not necessarily that she is "famous" around the world...

But if you want to compare fame between Grace and Diana: imo Grace became famous because of her work prior to being a princess and brought her fame with her to the principality; Diana became famous by becoming a princess

Grace's fame helped Monaco's fame
Diana's fame at first helped her RF's fame and in later years worked against it
imo ofcourse

 

[Kitty1224]

What makes a princesses "good" is not necessarily that she is "famous" around the world...

But if you want to compare fame between Grace and Diana: imo Grace became famous because of her work prior to being a princess and brought her fame with her to the principality; Diana became famous by becoming a princess

Grace's fame helped Monaco's fame
Diana's fame, in later years did not necessarily help the UK's RF fame

Well then how were they as princess? I read both hated being a princess.

 

[Elly C]

Kitty1224, I think it is difficult to answer some of your questions succinctly as there are so many aspects to the role of Princess and as others have said there is nothing to be gained from making comparisons given their very different circumstances.
The fact that both women live on in the memories of so many people and that there are numerous organisations and charities that are associated with them, suggests they have left a remarkable legacy and will continue to fascinate for generations to come.

 

[Kitty1224]

How do you define 'better'? More engagements and patronages than say, Anne? More international publicity, More achievements, popularity, more at ease with the people of the country she represented, what?

I read that Grace did a lot for monaco and that on the world stage she was known as the fairytale princess. Diana did a lot for Britain. They are more alike. But back with Grace; was it her wedding that put Monaco on the map or was it the things she did after that did? Did she make it richer?

 

[Kitty1224]

She is widely credited with nurturing cultural activities in the principality - many of which are still flourishing today thanks to the vigilance of her children. She was a wonderful ambassador for Monaco and appears to have charmed foreign leaders. Yes she was beautiful, but she had many other personal qualities that enabled her to establish herself as a much admired figure.
There are numerous biographies about Grace and one thing they all seem to agree on is that Grace was a tremendous asset to Monaco.

Also she was good at charming foreign leaders which was an asset for Monaco?

 

[Vojthas]

I think the best thing that say how much she changed the Monaco is the fact that there were few royals at the wedding in 1956 and so many of them at funeral in 1982.

 

[Kitty1224]

I think the best thing that say how much she changed the Monaco is the fact that there were few royals at the wedding in 1956 and so many of them at funeral in 1982.

So your basically saying is that Monaco wouldn't have been what it is today with Grace and the fact that during her time as Princess of Monaco she transformed the view of Monaco which made other royals in other countries take her seriously and Monaco as well?

 

[Vojthas]

So your basically saying is that Monaco wouldn't have been what it is today with Grace and the fact that during her time as Princess of Monaco she transformed the view of Monaco which made other royals in other countries take her seriously and Monaco as well?

I think she was this kind of woman who was always taken seriously. But Monaco's situation changed thanks to her but also thanks to prince Rainier for whom she was a priceless support.

 

[Elly C]

We shouldn't underestimate all that Rainier achieved to develop Monaco. He and Grace were a good team, very different in their interests which worked well for the Principality.

 

[Kitty1224]

We shouldn't underestimate all that Rainier achieved to develop Monaco. He and Grace were a good team, very different in their interests which worked well for the Principality.

Yes they were, but I would like to know more about what Grace did for the principality. It seems as if Monaco is still successful today because of the aura and fairytale princess of Grace.

 

[Lee-Z]

Yes they were, but I would like to know more about what Grace did for the principality. It seems as if Monaco is still successful today because of the aura and fairytale princess of Grace.

The succes of Monaco today is also thanks to the many activities of especially P.Albert and P.Caroline (Grace's children) imo
P.Albert is very involved with the running of his principality and imo there is little or nothing that he doesn't know about it.

By your phrasing i have a feeling that you only want to hear someone saying P.Grace was God's gift to Monaco and only thanks to her the country is flourishing but that is not the case: she was a big part of it, but not just her (Monaco is not a Disney movie)

 

[Kitty1224]

Off topic but as Princess of Monaco did Grace have to pay for anything when traveling, finding homes to live in, clothes, ect...? Seems like royals back then didn't have to pay for anything.

The succes of Monaco today is also thanks to the many activities of especially P.Albert and P.Caroline (Grace's children) imo
P.Albert is very involved with the running of his principality and imo there is little or nothing that he doesn't know about it.

By your phrasing i have a feeling that you only want to hear someone saying P.Grace was God's gift to Monaco and only thanks to her the country is flourishing but that is not the case: she was a big part of it, but not just her (Monaco is not a Disney movie)

Not saying she was God’s gift to Monaco but I believe she was chosen by God to do great things for Monaco which she has done. There’s a reason why her legacy is still huge there to this day. I personally believe if it wasn't for Grace than Monaco would have been gone a while ago.
Off topic but as Princess of Monaco did Grace have to pay for anything when traveling, finding homes to live in, clothes, ect...? Seems like royals back then didn't have to pay for anything?

 

[Vojthas]

(Monaco is not a Disney movie)

Neither an MGM movie (that was her "home" company).

 

[Florestane]

Not saying she was God’s gift to Monaco but I believe she was chosen by God to do great things for Monaco which she has done. There’s a reason why her legacy is still huge there to this day. I personally believe if it wasn't for Grace than Monaco would have been gone a while ago.
Off topic but as Princess of Monaco did Grace have to pay for anything when traveling, finding homes to live in, clothes, ect...? Seems like royals back then didn't have to pay for anything?

Given that Monaco weathered 6 and half centuries of existence before Grace I think it's high unlikely that it would have disappeared without her. Prince Rainier was an extremely shrewd operator, Grace was an amazing support and promoter of her adopted country but I think he would managed to hold on if he had never met her - and as he did for over 2 decades after her death.

I don't understand why she wouldn't have to pay for anything. Of course, she paid for clothes, holidays, furnishings, food (she was seen doing her own grocery shopping), personal stuff - she was a wealthy woman in her own right before she became the wife of an extremely wealthy Prince. She didn't pay for any of her homes after her marriage - they were already Grimaldi property (which outside of Monaco they would have had to purchase in the first place like anyone else).

 

[Kitty1224]

Given that Monaco weathered 6 and half centuries of existence before Grace I think it's high unlikely that it would have disappeared without her. Prince Rainier was an extremely shrewd operator, Grace was an amazing support and promoter of her adopted country but I think he would managed to hold on if he had never met her - and as he did for over 2 decades after her death.

I’ve read about the history of Monaco and after WW2 Monaco was not as good as it is today. I 100% agree that Rainier did a lot for Monaco and without him who knows what would have happened but I also believe that since Grace was very religious she also believed she was chosen by God to be Princess of Monaco and to do everything in her power to transform it to what it is today. She did a lot of charities and humanitarian work. To this day their wedding is still talked about today and big part of Monaco appeal.

 

[Florestane]

I’ve read about the history of Monaco and after WW2 Monaco was not as good as it is today. I 100% agree that Rainier did a lot for Monaco and without him who knows what would have happened but I also believe that since Grace was very religious she also believed she was chosen by God to be Princess of Monaco and to do everything in her power to transform it to what it is today. She did a lot of charities and humanitarian work. To this day their wedding is still talked about today and big part of Monaco appeal.

Nowhere in Europe was great after WW2.

There is no evidence Grace thought she had some special mission from God. She certainly never said anything to suggest that - her modesty wouldn't have allowed her to for a start. Her religion was important to her but she was naturally hardworking with a strong sense of duty. Whoever she married, or whatever job she did would have got the best from her - it was her character.

 

[Kitty1224]

Nowhere in Europe was great after WW2.

There is no evidence Grace thought she had some special mission from God. She certainly never said anything to suggest that - her modesty wouldn't have allowed her to for a start. Her religion was important to her but she was naturally hardworking with a strong sense of duty. Whoever she married, or whatever job she did would have got the best from her - it was her character.

Well it’s of my opinion that I believe she was chosen by God. You have your opinion and I have mine. Also from what I’ve learned from history nothing is certain. Monaco could have last or not. Nothing is certain. But I believe Grace did a lot of good for Monaco and to this day Grace the actress to princess is still a fairytale like story. As Princess of Monaco did Grace Seems like royals back then didn't have to pay for anything? Because it seemed like back then royals didn’t have to pay for anything because they were royalty. But it’s not the same thing today. Like private airfare. I know on royal tours the country pays for everything.

 

[Florestane]

Well it’s of my opinion that I believe she was chosen by God. You have your opinion and I have mine.

Yes, but you said Grace believed it.

Also from what I’ve learned from history nothing is certain. Monaco could have last or not. Nothing is certain.

No - but on the balance of probability it's good odds that it would have.



But I believe Grace did a lot of good for Monaco and to this day Grace the actress to princess is still a fairytale like story.

She did do a lot of good and her legacy lives on in and through her children and all the work she did. But Monaco is more than her legacy - she's been gone 3 and a half decades, a whole generation has grown up without knowing her, other than as a name or a picture.

As Princess of Monaco did Grace Seems like royals back then didn't have to pay for anything? Because it seemed like back then royals didn’t have to pay for anything because they were royalty. But it’s not the same thing today. Like private airfare. I know on royal tours the country pays for everything.

I don't know where you've got the idea that they didn't pay for anything. As far as I'm aware the Queen doesn't carry money but as I said, Grace paid for stuff. Tours are paid for by the government - but in Monaco, the Princely Family are the government in many ways...

And the countries don't always pay for everything - William and Kate were accompanied by a hairdresser which they paid for themselves.

 

[Kitty1224]

I don't know where you've got the idea that they didn't pay for anything. As far as I'm aware the Queen doesn't carry money but as I said, Grace paid for stuff. Tours are paid for by the government - but in Monaco, the Princely Family are the government in many ways...

And the countries don't always pay for everything - William and Kate were accompanied by a hairdresser which they paid for themselves.

I was always thought that royals didn't have to pay for anything like their clothes, food, airfare, transportation because they were royals and of higher status. I mean they live in a palace so they did have private chefs. For Grace she was a style icon so designers wanted to dress her and wouldn't be shocked if it was for free. For vacations airfare would be provided maybe without cost, ect...

 

[Leopoldine]

I was always thought that royals didn't have to pay for anything like their clothes, food, airfare, transportation because they were royals and of higher status. I mean they live in a palace so they did have private chefs. For Grace she was a style icon so designers wanted to dress her and wouldn't be shocked if it was for free. For vacations airfare would be provided maybe without cost, ect...

Monaco, thanks to Grace's husband Prince Rainier, makes a lot of money. No residents of Monaco are worried about the expenditures of the Royals.

Rainier was more of a CEO than a traditional removed-from-commerce royal. It paid off.

You seem to be the only one concerned about Monegasque Royals' private chefs and bus fare.

 

[Countessmeout]

Finances are certainly nothing this family, or its palace has to worry after. Albert is the 10th richest royal in the world, 2nd richest European royal, said to be worth about a billion dollars. Hans Adam is the only richer European. The family owns the casino and many of the other big profits in Monaco. Along with wielding far more power then most 'constitutional monarchs' do.

What the government of Monaco pays or doesn't pay for the Grimaldis is very certainly a different situation then any country like the UK.

 

[Kitty1224]

Finances are certainly nothing this family, or its palace has to worry after. Albert is the 10th richest royal in the world, 2nd richest European royal, said to be worth about a billion dollars. Hans Adam is the only richer European. The family owns the casino and many of the other big profits in Monaco. Along with wielding far more power then most 'constitutional monarchs' do.

What the government of Monaco pays or doesn't pay for the Grimaldis is very certainly a different situation then any country like the UK.

I'm just very intrigued with Monaco and Grace and how the monarchy operates in Monaco. From what you have said then, Monaco royals are well off than the UK and other European royals. I was just wondering Grace when she was Princess of Monaco if she got everything for free since she was Hollywood actress turned Princess.

 

[cdm]

Celebreties getting everything for free and being used as publicity is a more recent trend, I think.

 

[Kitty1224]

Celebreties getting everything for free and being used as publicity is a more recent trend, I think.

Actually I've read its been like that since the golden age of Hollywood. Royalty of course got the luxury getting things for free because of the status and the publicity and Grace becoming a princess I wouldn't be shocked if she didn't pay for anything.

 

[cdm]

Where did you read that?

 

[loonytick]

During her Hollywood days, Grace did have a lot of clothes made for or loaned to her by MGM and its in-house designer, Helen Rose. At that point in time, the studios sometimes looked at major events like premieres or the Oscars as an extension of the movie-making process, so they would dress the stars. Sometimes the dresses were reworked costumes, or were made for the event and later taken apart and reassembled for costumes. So the actresses didn't get something for free that they were able to keep, but they didn't have to obtain a dress for themselves, either.

I know that Helen Rose worked very closely with Grace to prepare a wardrobe of clothes for her voyage to Monaco and all of the wedding events. I'm not sure who paid for most of that, but because she and Rose had become friends through the years of working together at MGM I suspect Rose offered it all either at cost or a cut rate. The wedding gown itself was MGM's wedding gift to Grace. I think that was the end of her getting clothes from Rose and the studio.

 

[Curryong]

In the biography 'Grace Kelly:The Secret Life of a Princess' by James Spada, Grace's trousseau is mentioned.

She 'hired fashion consultant Eleanor Lambert to help her and purchased $25,000 of clothes from New York's most celebrated designers.' These included ' a $7,000 sable coat, $4,000 mink, six cocktail dresses, four light dresses, two evening gowns, two ball gowns, a leopard skin coat, two light jackets and 20 hats.'

The author wrote 'The studio gave Grace a bonus of over $65,000 for 1956 and kept her on a $1,500 weekly salary for several months after the wedding.'

'MGM designer Helen Rose created Grace's $7,226 wedding dress, and the studio provided 'free of charge, a studio hairdresser for her first few months in Monaco.'

 

[loonytick]

In the biography 'Grace Kelly:The Secret Life of a Princess' by James Spada Grace's trousseau is mentioned.

She 'hired fashion consultant Eleanor Lambert to help her and purchased $25,000 of clothes from New York's most celebrated designers.' These included a $7,000 sable coat, $4,000 mink, six cocktail dresses, four light dresses, two evening gowns, two ball gowns, a leopard skin coat, two light jackets and 20 hats.'

The author wrote 'The studio gave Grace a bonus of over $65,000 for 1956 and kept her on a $1,500 weekly salary for several months after the wedding.'

'MGM designer Helen Rose created Grace's $7,226 wedding dress, and the studio provided 'free of charge, a studio hairdresser for her first few months in Monaco.'

Ah, I got some things mixed up in my memory about the trousseau. There was something more personal that she worked on with Helen Rose beyond the wedding dress, but perhaps it was earlier in her career. Thanks for this clarification.