MONACO ROYAL WEDDING 1956

WEDDING OF PRINCE RAINIER III of MONACO AND GRACE KELLY

This 1956 Monaco Royal Wedding stamp is in honor of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly. It is written in Monaco’s history books and mentioned on the noted website that, “Prince Rainier III of Monaco married Grace Kelly on April 18, 1956, in a civil ceremony in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville, Monaco and in a religious ceremony on April 19, 1956, at St. Nicholas’ Cathedral in Monaco-Ville, Monaco.” (unofficialroyalty.com)

With many stamps that display a portrait image, the detail on such a small piece of paper might sometimes be overlooked, when in fact it is truly a piece of art. This portrait of a young Prince Rainier III appears to be a copy of a photograph that was also used on a postcard circa 1950. One can be seen on the website historyforsale.com. The image of Princess Grace appears to be, or is similar to, a photograph which can be seen on posterounge.com.uk with the addition of a double looped necklace that is seen around her neck on the stamp.

It is said that “Rainier III (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi 31 May 1923 – 6 April 2005) ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history. Though internationally known for his marriage to the American actress Grace Kelly, he was also responsible for reforms to Monaco’s constitution and for expanding the principality’s economy beyond its traditional casino gambling base.” (hellomonaco.com).

On this 1956 stamp are the words, one on each side, Poste Aerienne which translates “airmail.” Interestingly, the stamp denomination of 500 F (Monegasque Franc) was issued on April 19, 1956. It is stated that “In January 1960 the French franc was revalued, with 100 existing francs making one nouveau franc. (wikipedia.org/franc).

The monogram letters RG in the middle of the stamp are likely the combined union of the monograms for Prince Rainier III and for Grace Kelly signifying their union, since they each had their own Royal monograms. In a search for postcards, a first day cover, the RG monogram can also be seen with multiple Royal Wedding stamps affixed to it.

In trying to find information on the other names printed on the stamp, I found some inquiries on a stamp forum. The question and follow up answer were as follows.

“My catalogue simply says this was engraved by J. Piel and around this time he was also designing a lot of the stamps he did for Monaco. On the sides it has, on the left "Detaille" and on the right "Minne". B. Minne designed several stamps for Monaco around this time, some of which he also engraved.”
The reply stated, “No guarantee regarding the accuracy of the following but the Philatelic Database refers to the wedding set as Designed by Detaille from a photo by Jules Piel and Gravure printed by B. Minne. (stampengravers.blogspot).

In a further search the information is found on the Philatelic Database and it does show five of the lower denominations in the 1F, 2F, 3F, 5F and 15F amounts.

The framed design around the images of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III gives the look of a cameo necklace, with an elegant appeal. Up to the time of her death, the Royal couple was married for twenty-six years. The crown at the center top of the stamp might likely represent that the crown is above all and everyone is subject to the crown. Additionally, through one generation to the next in the Royal family, each is the one to protect the crown and rule accordingly with the constitution. From the time of Francois Grimaldi to Prince Rainier III, the era of this stamp, the crown of Monaco remained.


Referenced Articles

https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/wedding-of-prince-rainier-iii-of-monaco-and-grace-kelly/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_franc

https://www.historyforsale.com/prince-rainier-iii-monaco-picture-post-card-signed-circa-1950/dc124885

https://www.posterlounge.co.uk/p/612148.html

https://www.hellomonaco.com/event/happy-birthday-prince-rainier-iii

http://stampengravers.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/piel-jules.html (Above is a list of Piel's work and that stamp is included.)

http://www.philatelicdatabase.com/history/stamps-of-monaco-wedding-of-prince-rainier-and-grace-kelly-1956/