“Wedding of the Century” exhibition
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the wedding of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco presents an exceptional exhibition “Wedding of the Century”, dedicated to this internationally renowned event from 18 June to 25 September 2026.
At the crossroads of European monarchical tradition and American-style media staging, the “wedding of the century”, to use the expression coined by journalist Pierre Macaigne in Le Figaro as early as 4 April 1956, left a lasting imprint on public imagination and on Monaco’s contemporary history.
Through photographs, film footage, jewellery, gowns, gifts and previously unseen archival material, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the key figures, locations, highlights and behind-the-scenes moments of a week of celebrations organised in just three months, from Grace Kelly’s spectacular arrival on the morning of 12 April to the departure of the princely couple for their honeymoon on the evening of 19 April.
Although the wedding ceremonies of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly do not feature among the contemporary myths analysed by Roland Barthes (1915–1980) in his Mythologies, published in 1957, they could easily have formed the subject of one of the semiologist’s essays. The Monegasque event achieved extraordinary international resonance, driven by unprecedented media coverage for its time, the wide circulation of commemorative objects, and the enduring abundance of narratives and collective memory it continues to generate.
Practical information
18 June – 25 September 2026
State Apartments of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco
June & September: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. July & August: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tickets & information: visitepalaisdemonaco.com
Press visuals:
Mr Vincent Vatrican
Director of the Monaco Audiovisual Institute
