The History Behind Grace Kelly's Engagement Ring

If there were such a thing as the engagement ring hall of fame, Grace Kelly's legendary Cartier ring would no doubt be in it. The Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, and The Country Girl embodied the essence of an icon, so it's fitting that her jewelry mirrored that timelessness and beauty. 

As the story goes, in the spring of 1955 during the Cannes Film Festival, Kelly met her soon-to-be fiancé, Prince Rainier III of Monaco. She was there to promote To Catch a Thief and when Rainier caught wind of her attendance, he arranged a photo opp at his home as a way to meet the actress (clever!). She wore a stylish floral-print dress for the meeting and the two hit it off; she's reported to have remarked that he was "a very charming man." For months afterward, Kelly and Rainier stayed in touch, exchanging letters over a period of time and developing a romantic relationship. Finally, when he visited Kelly in her hometown of Philadelphia that Christmas, he popped the question.

The newly-engaged couple held a press conference in her family's home and the actress showed off her engagement ring for the first time—but it wasn't the ring you probably think it is. A lesser-known detail of their engagement is that Rainier gave her an eternity band that was set with rubies and diamonds. The ring, designed by Cartier, was reportedly created using family heirlooms and the colors were intended as an homage to his home country's flag (red and white). 

It wasn't until Kelly was filming High Society that the larger ring entered the picture. The movie was to be the last that Kelly would star in before she retired and moved to Monaco, and when Rainier heard that the costume designer was going to source a fake ring for Kelly's character, he offered to buy her one instead as a second engagement ring. Naturally, all parties involved swiftly accepted. The 10.48-carat Cartier emerald-cut engagement ring was flanked by two baguette-cut side stones, resulting in one of the most astonishing pieces of jewelry many have ever laid eyes on. Glimpses of the ring, alone, are worth watching the film for.  

Kelly's relationship with Cartier is among the most high-profile of the historic jewelry brand. Film director Alfred Hitchcock, who had his own storied relationship with jewelry, introduced the actress to the house of Cartier, and from that point on she was a devout fan. In fact, there is an entire room in Cartier's mansion in New York City that is dedicated to the style icon. 

Kelly and Rainier enjoyed a 26-year marriage and had three children together (Stephanie, Caroline, and Albert II). The actress had a stroke that resulted in a car accident in 1982, which led to her untimely death at the age of 52. Her memory lives on through her films, children, and iconic engagement rings—both of which remain in the House of Grimaldi.

Ahead, shop 11 engagement rings that nod to Grace Kelly’s Cartier masterpiece.