![Princess Grace of Monaco (R), Prince Rainier III of Monaco (2nd-L), French President General Charles de Gaulle (2nd-R) and his wife Yvonne (L) and Jacques Chaban-Delmas (2nd row, 3rd-L), talk 12 October 1959 at Elysee Palace in Paris](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-1115-grace02.jpg?resize=1200%2C918&ssl=1)
This Friday, the people of Monaco will celebrate their National Day. In the lead up to the annual celebration, we’re showcasing some gorgeous glittering Monegasque tiaras and gala jewels in our Sparkling Spotlight this week! Let’s kick things off with a chic early appearance from Monaco’s favorite movie star, Princess Grace.
![Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco arrive for a state dinner in Paris, October 1959](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-1115-grace01.gif?resize=480%2C360&ssl=1)
Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco traveled to Paris in October 1959 for a state visit with the new President of France, Charles de Gaulle. During the visit, President de Gaulle and his wife, Yvonne, hosted a grand gala banquet for the princely couple at the Élysée Palace on October 12.
![French President Charles de Gaulle (R) chats with Prince Rainier of Monaco (2nd R) as wifes Yvonne (L) and Princess Grace wait, 12 October 1959 prior a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-1115-grace04.jpg?resize=1200%2C849&ssl=1)
For the dinner, Princess Grace wore one of her most iconic 1950s evening gowns. She’d worn the dress for the first time in April 1956, for the opera gala held on the night of her civil wedding ceremony in Monaco. The white silk gown was designed by Antonio Castillo for Lanvin. In the late 1950s, the owner of Lanvin, Marie-Blanche de Polignac, was married to a cousin of Prince Rainier. Grace wore the red-and-white-striped sash (secured by a small brooch) and the star of her Monegasque order, the Order of Saint Charles. She also carried a white fur wrap.
![Princess Grace of Monaco (R), Prince Rainier III of Monaco (2nd-L), French President General Charles de Gaulle (2nd-R) and his wife Yvonne (L) and Jacques Chaban-Delmas (2nd row, 3rd-L), talk 12 October 1959 at Elysee Palace in Paris](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-1115-grace03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1456&ssl=1)
With the gown, Grace wore pieces of jewelry that she had received as wedding presents three years earlier. She placed the Bains de Mer Tiara atop her hair for the dinner. The tiara was Grace’s wedding gift from the Société des Bains de Mer, the company that owns and operates several important institutions in Monaco, including the casino in Monte Carlo and the Hôtel de Paris. You’ll also spot a gem-set bracelet on her left wrist, worn over her white glove, in this image.
![French President Charles de Gaulle (R) chats with Prince Rainier of Monaco (2nd R) as wifes Yvonne (L) and Princess Grace wait, 12 October 1959 prior a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-1115-grace05.jpg?resize=1005%2C1590&ssl=1)
Grace finished the look with her classic Diamond Festoon Necklace. The gorgeous diamond necklace, featuring both round and baguette diamonds, was made by Cartier.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.