On his mother´s death

Prince Albert II

Alberto, el hijo de Grace Kelly, recuerda los momentos cuando se enteran que su madre había tenido un accidente, sobre el shock que significó para su hermana, Stéphanie, y el apoyo de amigos y familiares. Para saber: Roc Agel y en vocabulario: eulogy.

“I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met…”

On September 13, 1982, Grace Kelly was driving back to Monaco from her country home in Roc Agel when she had a stroke. As a result, she lost control of her 1971 Rover P6 3500 and drove off the steep, winding road and down the 37 meters mountainside. Her daughter Stéphanie, who was in the passenger seat, tried but failed to regain control of the car. Kelly was taken to the Monaco Hospital (later named the Princess Grace Hospital Centre) with injuries to the brain and thorax and a fractured femur. Doctors believed that she had suffered a minor stroke while driving. She died the following night at 10:55 p.m. after Rainier decided to take her off life support.

Stéphanie suffered a slight concussion and a hairline fracture of a cervical vertebra, and was unable to attend her mother's funeral.

Kelly's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, on September 18, 1982. After a Requiem Mass, she was buried in the Grimaldi family vault. Over 400 people attended, including Cary Grant, Nancy Reagan, Danielle Mitterrand, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Empress Farah of Iran. At a later memorial service in Beverly Hills, James Stewart delivered the following eulogy:

    “You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own. No question, I'll miss her, we'll all miss her, God bless you, Princess Grace.” 

Rainier, who did not remarry, was buried alongside her in 2005.

Grace and Steward in Rear Window, 1954

Para saber

Roc Agel, purchased by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco as a summer family residence, is high on the slopes of Mont Agel. Mont Agel is a mountain on the border between France and Monaco. 

Prince Albert II: tragic death of mom

Albert remembering his mother, Grace Kelly – her generosity – Stéphanie´s recovery – the wounds

—It wasn´t until later that evening that became apparent that the outcome was not going to be good.

—Your mother, Princess Grace, she was obviously, prior to Monaco, a hugely accomplished successful Hollywood actress. She and Prince Rainier fall in love and she moves to Monaco and I believe she had a huge impact on tourism. What would you say she did over the years that most possibly impacted on Monaco?

—I think it’s basically her personality that was able to not only be a great ambassador for Monaco and showed Monaco in a very positive light but she was able to attract different kinds of prominent people here. Of course the figures of performing arts but also different business leader. It was her personality and generosity of heart that inspired, that charmed people and made them want to come in and visit and engage with Monaco.

—She obviously passed away tragically in a car accident that still at a very young age. You were having breakfast at the time and your father comes in. How well do you still recall what he said?

—Basically he said that we had to go down to hospital because mom and Stéphanie had an accident so I didn´t think twice about that, went down with him and Caroline as well and of course it was a very shocking moment. You´re not quite sure what to think or what to... Of course you think some things are going to improve and it’s not as bad an accident as you thought it was. Those few hours were very tense, very emotional.

—How long did it take you to realize what the eventual outcome was going to be?

—It wasn´t until later that evening that it became apparent that the outcome was not going to be good.

—And your sister Stéphanie was in the car at the time as well and obviously recovered. What did the process entail for her of getting better?

—It took a very long time for her to recover from this and it was a very painful recollection for her. It took a number of years for her to be totally…, to have come to terms with that. The pain of being in that car with our mother and not being able to pull her out. She was injured of course also. But I think it´s a traumatic experience and it would be for anybody.

—How did it affect you and how long did it take to start to feel normal again?

—It always takes a while and you recover thanks to your other family members and to your friends and the people that are dear to you to provide comfort. It also took a few years to really come to terms with that… (4, 20 minutes.)

Vocabulario

eulogy: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to someone who has just died.

"a eulogy to the Queen Mother"

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Esto es parte del archivo: Grace, una historia de princesas