Grace Kelly is fondly remembered for her unparalleled beauty and Academy Award-winning acting talent, but her engagement ring also has a famous legacy.
Grace became a princess in 1956, marrying Prince Rainier of Monaco, whom she met during a photocall at the Princely Palace of Monaco, where she was scheduled to support a visit to the Cannes Film Festival.
The two became engaged during the Christmas holidays in 1955 when Rainier proposed. The first ring he popped the question with was an eternity band, and the second ring was a Cartier emerald-cut stone, the more famous of the two. It is one of the most expensive engagement rings in history and has inspired the rings of countless women today, from Beyoncé to Amal Clooney.
“There’s a photo of them looking through the window of the Cartier store in Rue de la Paix[in Paris],” Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s director of image, heritage and style, told Vogue. “We don’t know if they were already married or engaged, but they probably chose this ring.”
Rainero added that Cartier’s archives contain evidence that the ring was transferred from Paris to a Cartier shop in Monaco.
From the proposal to the ring’s impact that continues today, here’s everything you need to know about Grace Kelly’s engagement ring.
Grace Kelly had two historic engagement rings
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Although Grace’s emerald-cut stone is the most iconic, she actually received two engagement rings from Rainier. Some say this was intentional, while others speculate that the second ring was circumstantial.
The first ring that Rainier proposed to her was an eternity band decorated with alternating red rubies and diamonds, an heirloom from Rainier’s family. According to Vogue, the combination of white and red stones is intended to represent Monaco’s national flag.
Rainier gave Grace a second ring while filming High Society. The ring featured an iconic emerald-cut diamond with two baguette sidestones set in a bezel. This film was Grace’s final work before leaving her acting career to pursue royal duties.
According to The Bride, Prince Rainier heard that Grace would be wearing a large fake engagement ring in the movie and offered to get her an additional ring instead.
The second three-stone engagement ring became famous for its giant emerald-cut diamond in the center. Grace wore it for years in place of an eternity band.
Prince Rainier proposes to Grace Kelly in Pennsylvania
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Grace was born into a wealthy family in Philadelphia. Rainier proposed during the Christmas holidays in 1955 at his parents’ home in East Falls.
The couple announced their engagement on January 5, 1956, at a press conference at the Philadelphia Country Club.
Grace Kelly’s emerald-cut ring features 10.48 carats of diamonds
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Known for its incredible value, Grace’s second engagement ring featured a whopping 10.48 carats of diamonds.
At the time, it was one of the largest engagement rings in the world and remains historic today.
Grace Kelly’s three-stone engagement ring is one of the most expensive rings ever made
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According to Brides, Grace’s emerald-cut three-stone engagement ring cost approximately $4 million in 1956.
The ring is currently estimated to be worth approximately $38.8 million.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier wed in Monaco
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Grace and Rainier’s wedding took place over two days. On the first day, April 18, 1956, a civil ceremony was held in the Throne Room of the Grand Duke’s Palace, followed by a religious ceremony in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the following day.
The wedding, attended by more than 600 people, attracted attention around the world and was watched by more than 30 million people on live television.
“It was an incredible event and left a huge mark on people,” Prince Albert, the couple’s only son and heir, told PEOPLE in 2017.
“What it meant to people was incredible. For us – and just ask my sisters[Princess Caroline and Stéphanie]- for us it was the marriage of our parents. But what it meant to Monaco, to people all over the world, and how their story continues to fascinate people is unimaginable.”
Grace’s wedding dress was created by longtime costume designer Helen Rose and presented by MGM Studios. It has since inspired other famous women’s wedding dresses, from Kate Middleton to Naomi Biden.
Where is Grace Kelly’s engagement ring now?
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In 1982, Grace suffered a stroke following a car accident and passed away. According to Brides, her ring now belongs to the Grimaldi family, which rules the Principality of Monaco.
They have remained in conservation ever since, except in 2016 when they were loaned to Cartier’s mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City, where they were temporarily displayed.
