Princess Grace of Monaco brought her signature elegance to Kingston during a visit with Prince Rainier, touring historic sites like King’s House and Vale Royal. Dressed in a chic Kelly green linen ensemble, she expressed admiration for Jamaica’s vibrant flora and left a lasting impression of grace and warmth on her hosts and the city.

Published Thursday, January 5, 1967 
 

Rainiers call on GG, Acting PM, tour city

Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, flew in from Montego Bay yesterday morning to meet Their Excellencies, the Governor General, Sir Clifford Campbell, and Lady Campbell, at King’s House and then to lunch with the Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Donald Sangster, at Vale Royal.

To wind up their visit to the capital, they later toured the zoo at Hope Gardens, the University of the West Indies, and drove through downtown Kingston before leaving at 4:30 p.m. on the return trip to Montego Bay.

Arriving at King’s House at about 11:45, the Royal couple were escorted by police outriders and accompanied by Mr. Sangster in the Prime Minister’s black Cadillac Fleetwood motor car flying the ensign of Jamaica’s political head.

The other cars in the Royal party carried Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Little, hosts to the visitors; Mr. Marcel Palmaro, Consul General for Monaco in New York and Mrs. Palmaro. The Chief of Staff, Jamaican Defence Force, Brigadier David Smith, and the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jack Middleton, also travelled with the convoy.
The introductions were made by Mr. Sangster. Sir Clifford, in turn, presented to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace his secretary, Mr. Neville Smith, and his private secretary, Miss Phyllis Clarke, in the lobby downstairs.

After drinks in the living room upstairs, the visitors bade farewell, with a wish from Sir Clifford for their early return.

At Vale Royal, the first guest to be presented was Mrs. Iris Sangster, aunt of the host. On the patio before lunch, drinks were served, and the luncheon guests were presented to the Royal couple.

Other luncheon guests were Mr. and Mrs. James Lloyd, Mr. and Mrs. John Pringle, Mr. Theodore Sealy, and Miss Hope Sealy.

Jamaican straw mats with raffia embroidery featuring a floral motif decorated the table at which the party of 14 lunched.

The visitors were taken on a tour of Vale Royal  just as they had done of some sections of King’s House, and Princess Grace expressed her admiration for the many flowers in bloom.

For her Kingston trip, Princess Grace was dressed in a Kelly green linen skimmer, made with a tunic overskirt and a tailored band at the back. Her honey blonde hair was characteristically styled in the pageboy hairdo for which the former movie star Grace Kelly was well-known and held at the top with a white bandeau.

The petite Princess, standing at barely five feet, wore white patent leather shoes, carried a matching handbag, with her only jewels being a gold brooch worn on the bodice of her dress and emerald-and-diamond earrings.

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