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 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’. 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.

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 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.