Charlene looking elegantly understated at Kate's wedding, in a
figure-hugging grey coat by Akris and a wide-brimmed, white hat.
Grace in her magnificent wedding dress. The bodice was made of antique lace, and a high cummerbund of ivory silk faille encircled the brides 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.
As was the Monaguesque 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 musical comedy that was to be the actresss 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.