Sold – Newly-Wed Grace Kelly Says Marriage Hasn’t Changed Her
She kids that her princely husband is being “naughty”; he jokes of the “large knife” hanging at his left.
One of the greatest actresses of the classic era, two of Kelly’s 11 films – High Noon and Rear Window – are considered to be among the 50 best films ever made. She won an Academy Award for best actress and, in 1956, was voted the Golden Globe’s World Film Favorite Actress....
One of the greatest actresses of the classic era, two of Kelly’s 11 films – High Noon and Rear Window – are considered to be among the 50 best films ever made. She won an Academy Award for best actress and, in 1956, was voted the Golden Globe’s World Film Favorite Actress. That year also marked the end of her film career, as the storybook star became a real life princess when she married Prince Ranier of Monaco on April 19.
Charles Cushing was a New York investment banker who was a close personal friend of the Kellys, as well as of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. He had been invited to the wedding but did not attend, perhaps for health reasons. Thinking of him shortly afterwards, the newly-weds sent this postcard, the verso of which contains two Autograph Notes Signed and a postscript, all characterized by informality and humor. The first one is written by Ranier, the second by Grace, and there is a postscript by Ranier. He said, “Grace & I cannot tell you how sorry we (regal we, that is) were that you couldn’t make it over for ceremony – it was very quiet, just the family & no publicity. See you soon.” He signed, “Best always, Rainy.” At the bottom of the card, he added, “P.S. The large knife I have hanging on left side is the one I killed M the 3 eyed lion with.” That “large knife” is his ceremonial sword. Grace wrote less but said more. “Uncle Charlie- Rainy is so naughty. Marriage hasn’t changed me. I still love my dear Uncle Charlie.” She signed the card “Princess Grace,” the only time we have seen her use that name, as very soon after her marriage she started signing “Grace de Monaco.”
The postcard itself tells an interesting story. Its front contains a portrait of the royal couple dressed for their wedding. The postmark is dated April 19, 1956, the very day of the wedding, and it bears a stamp of the two of them on its first day of issue. These facts indicate that the portrait was taken and the stamp imprinted in advance of the wedding ceremony, and that the Monaco post office postmarked a number of them on the royal couple’s wedding day. Some of these first day issue postcards were provided to Ranier and Grace for their use. However, considering Grace’s statement that marriage hasn’t changed her, although the postmark reads April 19, the card was likely written and sent a little while later.
Cushing died in 1958 and a copy of his obituary is included. This wonderful card remained in his family until a few years ago, when it was left as a memento to a long-time servant, from whom we obtained it. It has not previously been offered for sale. It is nice to know that marriage into royalty did not change Grace Kelly of Philadelphia, and understandable that Rainy would be somewhat naughty with her as his wife.
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