On the Eve of the Royal Wedding, A Look At Grace Kelly – Philadelphia’s Princess

If, like me, you are obsessed with the British royal family, then you have undoubtedly had this weekend marked on your calendar for some time. Prince Harry, younger son of Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, is set to marry American actress Meghan Markle this Saturday. The love affair has not been without scandal: Markle is a Hollywood star who has been divorced once before, and her ethnic background stirred up some controversy. But the two are a gorgeous couple, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for them… hopefully more royal babies!

This isn’t the first time a prince has married an American actress, however. The first was Grace Kelly, who became the wife of Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Kelly holds a very special place in our hearts, because she was a Philadelphia native. Kelly was born at Hahnemann University Hospital in 1929 to a prominent, wealthy Irish-American family. Her father, John Kelly, ran for mayor and was narrowly defeated by the smallest margin in city history. She attended an all-girls school in Germantown.

Kelly moved to Hollywood in the early 50s, where she won both an Academy Award and Golden Globe. She worked with such Tinseltown luminaries as Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, James Stewart, and Bing Crosby. Kelly lit up the screen with her otherworldly beauty, as well as her formidable acting chops.

It was during the 1955 Cannes Film Festival that Kelly met Prince Rainier. They corresponded for months, meeting again when Rainier came to America for a diplomatic tour. They became quietly engaged, and Kelly wore her own engagement ring in her final film, the musical comedy “High Society.”

The news that Kelly would become a princess made a sensation in American media. The royal wedding was aired on television, and watched by an estimated 30 million people. The couple went on to have three children: Albert (current reigning Prince of Monaco), Stephanie, and Caroline. Kelly remained beloved by the press for her beauty and incredible fashion sense until she died in 1982.

Prince Albert of Monaco has since bought his mother’s Philadelphia family home, and has plans to turn it into a museum dedicated to Grace Kelly’s life.

So, when you watch the royal wedding this weekend, think back to Philadelphia’s own princess!