[Liz]

On 19 April, in the cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the royal groom wore a wedding outfit that he had designed himself, based on the uniform of Napoleon’s marshals. His bride was more than a match for his princely plumage, thanks to her natural beauty and her magnificent wedding dress. The bodice was made of antique lace, and a high cummerbund of ivory silk faille encircled the bride’s slim waist, now measuring less than 21 inches due to the strain of the wedding preparations during the preceding few months.

The full silk skirt was bell-shaped and the silk tulle veil had two lace lovebirds appliquéd at the back. According to MGM, the cathedral bridal ensemble had taken six weeks to create and involved the skills of 35 craftspeople, working under strict conditions to preserve the secrecy of the design. Helen Rose designed both the cathedral and the civil-ceremony wedding dresses — Prince Rainier designed his own outfit

As was the Monaguesqe custom, the civil marriage of Grace and Prince Rainier took place in the Monaco palace throne room on 18 April 1956. The bride was beautiful in a beige lace and dusty rose silk suit with a fitted bodice and skirt that flared into a full hem. A close-fitting hat trimmed with silk flowers, pink silk pumps and white gloves added the final touches.

The studio also gave its star a dozen Helen Rose-designed outfits from High Society – the actress’s 11th and final film. She expanded her trousseau to some 40 outfits during a rapid shopping trip to New York. The colour palette included beige, delicate pastels and her favourite hue, yellow.

Grace in a Maggy Rouff gown

[silverleaf]

I think Katharine Middleton is going to make fine Queen, or at least she has very good PR advisors

[DallasDeb]

That was very pleasant. Thanks for the post.

[fso301]

FYI,

A nosegay, posey (or posie, posy), flower bouquet or tussie-mussie is a small bunch of flowers, typically given as a gift.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosegay

[SkyDancer]

It’ll be the most watched wedding in the world. I just hope it’s shown at a reasonable hour down here. BTW, I laughed my self silly when I heard that Barry Soetoro wasn’t invited. Rule Britannia.

[humblegunner]

How nice that she’ll never have to work a day in her life.

She’s just like Paris Hilton without the porn.

So far.

[livius]

Very lovely!

[blam]

I was terribly heart broken at the young age of 13 when Grace Kelly 'ran-off' with that foreigner.

She was my first love.

[stylecouncilor]

Thanks for the post! I’m so excited to watch the wedding!! Is anyone doing an official thread?

[dforest]

Grace was very lovely. It is so nice to see real fashion instead of the horrors of Moochelle.

I think Kate will make a beautiful bride.

I sure hope she is treated better than Charles treated Diana.

[nutmeg]

BEAUTIFUL thread, Liz... thank you! :-)

[Hot Tabasco]

Kate Middleton is one hot gal and Prince William certainly seems like one cool dude. The thing that impresses me the most is how much they seem to enjoy each other's company, they're always smiling together despite all the cameras that are probably following them......

It's got to be tough growing up as a prince (and I mean that in all seriousness) but William and Harry are certainly two young men that any parent could be proud of.

[Albion Wilde]

Lovely. Thanks for the ping.