50 Years After Wedding, Grace Kelly Mystique Remains

April 19, 2006 — -- Fifty years ago today, one of the most-famous weddings in history took place when Grace Kelly married Monaco's Prince Rainier III.

By marrying into the ancient aristocracy of Europe, the glamorous 26-year-old Hollywood star made the ultimate cultural conquest.

To meet her prince, Kelly arrived in style, sailing to Monaco on the USS Constitution with her triumphant army of bridesmaids, journalists, and a poodle given to her by actor Cary Grant. Kelly and Rainier were virtual strangers, having only met twice before.

Rainier was a 32-year-old bachelor-about-town who had decided it was time to get serious and produce an heir to the throne so his country wouldn't revert to France.

He had first met Kelly when a magazine photographed the two of them together as a publicity stunt. Kelly was annoyed that Rainier was late, and Rainier admitted it wasn't love at first sight.

"I don't really believe in love at first sight," he told Diane Sawyer in 1997. "I think true love has to be based on something."

When asked whether she was the most-beautiful woman he had ever seen, Rainier replied, "Well, surely. Yes. I think probably fairly obvious."

At their civil marriage service, in the historic throne room, Kelly looked tired because she and Rainier, together for just the third time in their lives, had sat up and talked all night.

The next day, at the Catholic ceremony at a cathedral, Kelly looked regal in 450 yards of silk and lace. Already a fashion icon, Kelly was catapulted into a new realm, thanks to her wedding dress.