Alexandra of Hanover Marries: Grimaldi Wedding Dresses From Caroline of Monaco to Grace Kelly

Although there exists a popular legend that questions the Grimaldi family’s romantic future, Monaco will celebrate a royal wedding next year. Alexandra of Hanover, the youngest daughter of Caroline of Monaco, has announced her engagement to German businessman Ben-Sylvester Strautmann.

Attributed to a gypsy curse or to a historical offense from more than 700 years ago, the legend says that no member of the Grimaldi family, especially the women, will find lasting happiness in marriage or in love. Divorces, tragic widowhoods, and stormy relationships have fed this myth across generations in European social chronicles, something that does not seem to have bothered the young princess.

So much so, that she has already started with the preparations for this very special day. After showing the engagement ring and announcing the great news on social media, Alexandra has rolled up her sleeves and there is one detail that, probably, will occupy a large part of her time: the wedding dress.

It goes without saying that the bride’s look is usually the element that generates the most anticipation, especially when it comes to a family in which luxury garments and heirloom jewelry are particularly important. The daughter of Caroline of Monaco will not leave anything to chance and will choose one of those wedding looks that promise to be an inspiration for brides in 2028, but she also bears the responsibility of placing herself in one of the most special moments in royal history.

And indeed, Alexandra of Hanover comes from a dynasty of royal women who marked a before and after with their wedding dresses. Her grandmother Grace Kelly, her mother Caroline of Monaco, or her sister Charlotte Casiraghi with her current inspiration to create one of those looks that will meet expectations.

The young woman has already worn on occasion garments from the actress who became a princess and from her mother and could do so again on her special day. Nods to the fashion legacy of her ancestors that she will bring to life with a luxury house such as Chanel, Givenchy or Giambattista Valli, with which she has a special relationship.

Caroline of Monaco

Caroline of Monaco’s first wedding dress was a bohemian and romantic design created by Marc Bohan for Dior that she wore for her wedding to Philippe Junot in 1978. It was a bold boho-chic dress ahead of its time for a princess, featuring a fluid silhouette, bell sleeves and delicate floral embroidery. In addition, she crowned her wedding look with a small crown or headpiece of natural wildflowers, reinforcing that fresh, romantic and carefree spirit.

Charlotte Casiraghi

Charlotte Casiraghi married on June 1, 2019 to Dimitri Rassam in a wedding that featured three looks. For the religious ceremony, she chose a vintage and very bohemian Giambattista Valli dress. An A-line white design that included soft sheerness revealing the skin and that featured a long sleeve, along with delicate floral embroidery with a wide ruffle at the neckline. Very much in her mother’s style.

Grace Kelly

The iconic religious wedding dress of Grace Kelly was designed by Oscar-winning costume designer Helen Rose of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios as a wedding gift to the actress for her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19, 1956. It combined a fitted bodice of antique Brussels lace (125 years old) with a high neckline and long sleeves, and an incredibly full ivory silk satin ball gown skirt with a belt that streamlined the waist.

Stephanie of Monaco

Stephanie of Monaco broke with all royal protocol by wearing a very short white lace mini dress with no veil at her civil wedding to Daniel Ducruet on July 1, 1995. It was a white lace, fitted design of informal inspiration from an unknown designer, paired with a loose mid-length hairstyle and a classic set of a pearl necklace and dangling pearl earrings.