Fairy tales are something we’ve all become accustomed to reading in the lovingly dog-eared pages of our favorite childhood books. Sometimes, on rare occasion, those fanciful stories are true. And such was the case with the glamorously stunning Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

Already a celebrity and a Hollywood icon in her own right Grace Kelly was loved by her adoring audience. She had graced every magazine cover and filled the screen with her spectacular presence. As her name suggests she radiated poise and composure. While she began her career on stage, it was her on screen beauty and quiet confidence made her a favorite of many directors including the legendary Alfred Hitchcock for whom she played starring roles in Dial M for Murder, Rear Window and To Catch a Thief. She worked along celebrity royalty like Clark Gable, Cary Grant and James Stewart and won an Oscar, two Golden Globe awards, a star on the Hollywood walk of fame and countless nominations.

It was at her peak of success when she met Prince Rainier III of Monaco. In 1955, having already achieved independent success Grace Kelly was on top of the world, and in the South of France attending the Cannes Film Festival. She was so confident and self-assured she even shuck an initial introduction to the Prince by skipping on the first day of a photo shoot in the prince’s palace. Eventually the bulbs did flash and a romance was ignited. The Prince, who had been seeking a bride to ensure the succession of a royal heir and the security of his dominion, began a romantic correspondence with the young starlet. Soon after the Prince of Monaco and Hollywood’s own movie star princess were engaged.

They married on April 19, 1956 and the wedding was an event to remember! To this day brides, both celebrity and not, emulate the regal affair and walk down the aisle in dresses inspired by Kelly’s iconic silk and lace bridal gown (so famous it has its own Wikipedia page) created by MGM costume designer Helen Rose. Over 600 guests attended the wedding and upwards of 30 million watched the televised royal union.

Despite the constant lure of directors and fans for Grace Kelly to return to the big screen she retired from the film industry and focused the rest of her life on becoming an attentive ceremonial leader of Monaco and loving mother to her Prince Rainier’s three children.

Learn more about Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III: Bio. and People Magazine