Grace of Monaco

The latest from Hollywood on the Potomac.

Former US Amb. to France & current CEO of MPA with Maguy Maccario Doyle, Amb. of Monaco to the US — Photo by Courtesy Embassy of Monaco/by Zaid Hamid

Written by Janet Donovan

Co contributor: Elle Berdy

In 1956 Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco. In 1982 she died following a car accident, a devastating event for both the citizens of The United States and the Principality of Monaco. The Oscar winner was known for her beauty, elegance, grace and sense of style as well as her acting.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who accomplished useful deeds, and who was a kind and loving person. I would like to leave the memory of a human being with a correct attitude and who did her best to help others.”
— Princess Grace

Ambassador Doyle hosted an elegant soirée at her residence in Washington DC with friends and colleagues to toast the opening of the beautiful Grace of Monaco: Princess in Dior exhibition at Hillwood Museum which showcases many items from the Dior wardrobe of America’s iconic actress and His Serene Highness Prince Albert’s 17th anniversary as Monaco’s Sovereign.

“We also plan to mark the 100th anniversary of the Motion Picture Association of America this year – and the sadder 40th anniversary of the passing of America’s Princess, Grace of Monaco in 1982 – with a special screening of one of her films.” We’re hoping for Country Girl for which she won an Oscar, but there’s a lot to choose from: High Noon, Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief and High Society…..

She also announced plans for a collaboration on a retro-black-and-white photographic exhibition called Legends of Monte Carlo at the French Embassy (a series of prints featuring some of the 20th century’s most famous celebrities/bold-face names who vacationed in Monte-Carlo in the 1940s-1970s).