Exhibition: ‘The Wedding of the Century’ 18 June – 25 September

At the crossroads of European monarchical tradition and American-style publicity, the ‘wedding of the century’, to borrow the phrase used in Le Figaro on 4 April 1956 by journalist Pierre Macaigne, undoubtedly left a lasting impression and shaped the contemporary history of Monaco.

Through photographs, moving images, jewellery, dresses, gifts and previously unseen archive material, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey to discover the key figures, the venues, the highlights and the behind-the-scenes moments of a week of festivities, organised in just three months, from the spectacular welcome for Grace Kelly on the morning of 12 April, to the departure of the princely couple on their honeymoon on the evening of the 19^th.

While the wedding ceremonies of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly do not feature in Roland Barthes’ (1915–1980) Mythologies of Contemporary News, they could very well have been the subject of a study by the semiologist in the book he published in 1957, such was the major impact of the Monegasque event, thanks to its exceptional media coverage for the time, a wide range of souvenirs produced, and the abundance of different accounts.

Practical information

From 18 June to 25 September 2026 in the State Apartments of the Prince's Palace.

June, September: 10am – 6pm
July, August: 10am – 7pm

Ticket office and enquiries: visitepalaisdemonaco.com

Press images: Mr Vincent Vatrican, Director of the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco - vincent.vatrican@institut-audiovisuel.mc