Grace Kelly's Cartier Engagement Rings

A bit of Hollywood glamour now... Grace Kelly, who was given not one but two Cartier engagement rings by her Prince charming, Prince Rainier of Monaco. The first was a ruby and diamond eternity band and the second a large solitaire - over 10 carats. It was this one that she refused to ever take off, making it perhaps the most famous engagement ring in the world when she wore it on her last ever film High Society where she played the engaged socialite Tracy Samantha Lord (second image).

Almost immediately after filming was finished (and months before the movie was even released), Grace Kelly set sail across the Atlantic (with 80 bags and her dog) for her waiting Prince. Greeted by hundreds of reporters and thousands of well-wishers on her arrival in Monaco, she was adored from the start. Her 1956 wedding - with 700 guests including Cary Grant, Ava Gardner and even my grandfather's cousin, Claude Cartier - was quite the society affair. Televisions had just become mainstream and this was one of the first major globally televised events (to approx 30 million viewers). Her high-necked long-sleeved gown (designed by Helen Rose who had also designed Elizabeth Taylor’s first wedding dress) had been made from a phenomenal 275 meters of antique Belgian lace, 23 meters of silk taffeta and 90 meters of tulle! On her head she wore a simple Juliet cap and in the place of a traditional bouquet she carried a prayer book covered with lily of the valley and pearls.

There was also - unbeknownst to all those watching - a golden penny in her shoe for good luck. And her wedding present from her prince? A Cartier diamond necklace of course. And one that has survived through following generations (swipe forward to the third image to see her grand-daughter wearing it at her wedding this year).

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