Twenty-five years after the fatal car crash that brought Monaco’s fairytale to a premature end, Princess Grace’s children have helped create an amazing exhibition to honour her memory.
The Grace Kelly Years, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco until September 23, is a moving tribute to the legendary actress, princess and mother. Creating the exhibition, filled with personal items, gowns, private videos, and even love letters from her husband Prince Rainier, was an emotional experience for the family.
Abandoning his famous reserve, the princess’s only son affectionately recalls the life of an extraordinary mother.
Since you ascended to the throne in 2005, you have been very involved in maintaining the legacy left by your father. Do you now feel the need to concentrate on your mother’s?
We felt it was time to pay tribute to our mother in a very significant and personal way. It’s important for my nieces and nephews, and for a whole new generation, so they can understand the kind of impact she had.
Did seeing all those things stir up a lot of memories?
It was strange. For instance, there are gowns that we hadn’t seen in years. We would ask each other, “Do you remember the day Mum wore this dress?” The collages and her personal belongings also showed us who she was and how she lived.
Was it painful for you to delve into the past?
No, it wasn’t painful. Of course, the emotion is always there. But time heals, so there’s a lot of happiness as well.
What memories do you have of your mother?
Too many to count, but especially those moments I shared just with her. My parents never travelled together for security reasons. So I’d travel with my mother and we’d make the most of the time, chatting about everything.
Her death was so sudden and so tragic. It must have been a terrible blow for you. Can you tell us about that day, September 14, 1982?
To lose one of your parents so young, and especially to lose your mother, is a devastating experience. I remember the day very clearly. She had just left our house at Roc-Agel. Just before she went, she came into my bedroom to try and get me up and out of bed. My father told me the news while I was having breakfast.
Do you think it was tougher for Stephanie, who was in the car during the accident?
Yes, I do. I think that we underestimated the trauma of the accident with Stephanie. We also underestimated the difficulties she had to overcome afterwards — both the physical injuries and the spiritual pain…
For the full interview see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale September 3)
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
