Princess Grace's Legacy

[Elly C]

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.

[Kitty1224]

Originally Posted by Elly C

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.

How was she a tremendous asset to Monaco? How was she as a princess?

[Missjersey]

I always remember her bring attention with the Red Cross Ball.

[CyrilVladisla]

Princess Grace established an orphanage. Every year the Princess would have a Christmas party with presents for the children. No adults could attend.

[Countessmeout]

Grace founded AMADE, also known as the world association of children's friends. It is now headed by Caroline. The goal of the charity, which is recognized by the UN now for its work, was and is to ensure that all children (of all religions, cultures and socio-economic status) could live life with dignity and security, and with equal rights.

Its three main goals, which are shared with the UN Convention of the rights of children are:

To protect the most vulnerable children from violence, exploitation and abuse.
To promote children's development by contributing to access to education and health.
To accompany changes through plea initiatives.

It now operates in 12 countries on four continents. It was founded 54 years ago and continues going strong.


Arts wise The Princess Grace Foundation was started during her life time. The Monaco branch was founded in 1964 to support local artists in all areas, and is now run by Caroline. Following her death, Princess Grace Foundation-USA was founded. She had been donating money anonymously in her life time to help up coming artists, actors, dancers and others. The awards now help support art education all over the US. Albert and Charlene are often in the US attending events for the American branch.

She also helped establish an orphanage (and annual Christmas party), and a garden club. She was one of the first celebrity supporters for breast feeding initiatives as well.


But arguably her biggest asset was simply her celebrity. Monaco was struggling financially, it was not the famous playground of the rich and famous it is known as today. A Hollywood starlet being the princess of the small strip of land, brought a huge amount of publicity and interest in the country. Interest which equaled much needed tourist and gambling money.

[Kitty1224]

Was she a better princess than Diana?

[Kitty1224]

Originally Posted by Vojthas

She also brought glamour of herself and her fellow "celebrities", as we'd call them today, to the charity events.

Really? Are you sure she did that?

[Curryong]

Originally Posted by Kitty1224

Was she a better princess than Diana?

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?

[Lee-Z]

Originally Posted by Kitty1224

Was she a better princess than Diana?

Being a princess is not a competition, comparing princesses (especially from different countries) is pretty useless

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by Kitty1224

Was she a better princess than Diana?

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.

[Kitty1224]

Originally Posted by LadyFinn

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]

Originally Posted by Kitty1224

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]

Originally Posted by Lee-Z

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]

Originally Posted by Curryong

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]

Originally Posted by Elly C

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Kitty1224

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.