Marilyn Monroe was almost courted by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to be able to save his principality, in keeping with a brand new documentary. 

Curiosity Stream’s Royals: Holding the Crown claims the blonde bombshell was thought-about by royal aides as a potential spouse for the ruler till considerations had been raised about her unsuitable ‘sex-bomb picture’.

As an alternative Rainier went on to wed Grace Kelly, the darling of Hollywood, lower than a yr after first assembly on April 18, 1956. 

The 2 loved a profitable marriage and had three youngsters collectively – together with the present monarch Prince Albert II – earlier than the actress-turned-princess sadly died from a automobile crash in September 1982 on the age of 52.

In line with Individuals, Rainier was in peril of shedding management of his throne after World Warfare II, so aides recommended he break custom and marry an A-lister as a substitute of a royal to assist enhance tourism within the principality. 

Marilyn Monroe (pictured in 1953) was nearly courted by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in order to save his principality, according to a new documentary

Marilyn Monroe (pictured in 1953) was almost courted by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to be able to save his principality, in keeping with a brand new documentary

Curiosity Stream's Royals: Keeping the Crown claims the blonde bombshell was considered by royal aides as a possible wife for the ruler until concerns were raised about her unsuitable 'sex-bomb image'. Pictured, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco on 19 April 1956

Curiosity Stream’s Royals: Holding the Crown claims the blonde bombshell was thought-about by royal aides as a potential spouse for the ruler till considerations had been raised about her unsuitable ‘sex-bomb picture’. Pictured, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco on 19 April 1956

A longstanding settlement with France meant the prince’s crown was going to be misplaced if Rainier could not revive his county’s major business of tourism.

The monarch was additionally an single man with out an inheritor to inherit his throne, so at 32, that was ‘uppermost in his thoughts’, in keeping with College of St. Andrews historian Dr. Chandrika Kaul, who seems on the documentary. 

The historian explains: ‘Prince Rainier is now 32, and the concept he would possibly lose his principality if he would not marry properly and produce a male inheritor is uppermost in his thoughts.’

Royal historian Kate Williams provides: ‘The stakes could not be larger. Monaco is beneath risk. It may collapse, and Rainier has to reserve it.’

Advisers reportedly advised the royal flip to America’s ‘new royalty’ for a spouse, suggesting he seek for a Hollywood star to wed. 

Instead Rainier went on to wed Grace Kelly, the darling of Hollywood, less than a year after first meeting on April 18, 1956. Pictured, Monroe in 1954

As an alternative Rainier went on to wed Grace Kelly, the darling of Hollywood, lower than a yr after first assembly on April 18, 1956. Pictured, Monroe in 1954

Dr. Kaul says: ‘Prince Rainier was suggested that he would do properly to marry a Hollywood “princess,” and all of the superstar and fame that went with that marriage.

‘What Monaco wanted was to revive its tourism commerce. It made excellent financial sense.’

Royal advisers on the time reportedly recommended the prince date Marilyn Monroe however questions had been raised over whether or not her ‘sex-bomb picture is appropriate for a royal princess’.

As an alternative Prince Rainier went on to marry Grace Kelly, after first assembly her in Monaco when she was within the principality for the 1955 Cannes Movie Pageant.

The two (pictured with their family) enjoyed a successful marriage and had three children together - including the current monarch Prince Albert II - before the actress-turned-princess sadly died from a car crash in September 1982 at the age of 52

 The 2 (pictured with their household) loved a profitable marriage and had three youngsters collectively – together with the present monarch Prince Albert II – earlier than the actress-turned-princess sadly died from a automobile crash in September 1982 on the age of 52

The 2-time Oscar winner was invited to the nation by Paris Match journal for a photograph shoot on the royal palace, with Prince Rainier himself being the tour information.

Dr. Kaul says: ‘The manager at Paris Match assume that this will likely be a very dramatic, sensational assembly between the Queen of Hollywood and their very own Prince, who’s an eligible, younger, good-looking bachelor — who additionally simply occurs, hearsay has it, to be in search of a spouse.’

Historian Kate provides: ‘Throughout this picture shoot, you actually see how Rainier is entranced by Grace, and actually, I feel, he falls in love along with her on a private stage — however he additionally sees her as the reply to so a lot of his issues.’

The couple married lower than a yr afterward April 18, 1956 and went on to have three youngsters: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie. 

THE LEGACY OF GRACE KELLY

Grace Kelly shortly before she met her husband in 1955

Grace Kelly shortly earlier than she met her husband in 1955

Admirers recognise her because the embodiment of royalty in any sense – a critically-acclaimed actress and the elegant consort of Monaco, in addition to a loyal buddy, loving mom, and beautiful type icon. 

Ms Kelly was born to a rich household in Philadelphia in 1929, and went on to shortly climb the ranks of Hollywood, starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window and Excessive Society, a musical.

She received the Oscar for Finest Actress for her work within the 1954 movie The Nation Lady, beating out fellow star Judy Garland. She additionally gained one other nod for her supporting position in 1953’s Mogambo. 

On the 1955 Cannes Movie Pageant, Ms Kelly met Monaco’s Prince Ranier III. After exchanging letters in a hushed romance, he requested her to marry him days after Christmas that yr.

Throughout what reporters referred to as ‘the marriage of the century,’ then 26-year-old Grace Patricia Kelly grew to become Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco in an intricate lace gown designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose. 

Within the years following their marriage ceremony she admitted that it was tough separating Grace Kelly the actress and Princess Grace, the spouse of a head of state.

She had three youngsters with the prince – Albert II, Stephanie, and Caroline. 

Princess Grace died on September 14, 1982 as she was driving alongside a hairpin bend above the Mediterranean principality along with her daughter, Princess Stephanie.

It was the identical hairpin curve that she zoomed round within the 1955 movie To Catch A Thief. Within the movie, Ms Kelly gushed: ‘Have you ever ever seen anywhere on the earth extra fantastic?’