Grace Kelly: Ocean City’s Link to Royalty

Grace Kelly: Ocean City’s Link to Royalty

By Steffen Klenk

Grace Kelly was born in Philadelphia on November 12, 1929. Prior to becoming a Hollywood actress, Grace spent her summers in Ocean City. She worked at the Chatterbox and ventured to the beach, whilst spending time with her family at their summer home on the corner of 26th Street and Wesley Avenue.

Kelly was devoted to becoming an actress. At the age of 19, she starred in several Broadway performances and live television programs. She would soon become a star of stage and screen. As a Hollywood actress, Kelly starred in her first major motion picture in 1951. She worked closely with director Alfred Hitchcock in films such as Rear Window, Dial M for Murder, and To Catch a Thief. She received two Golden Globe Awards and an Oscar for her acting roles.

In 1955, Grace attended the Cannes Film Festival where she met Prince Rainier III of Monaco. After a yearlong relationship, the two were married in April 1956 in what would be known as the Wedding of the Century.

With her new role as Princess of Monaco, Grace’s acting career came to an abrupt end. For years afterwards, she became an ambassador on the world stage. In 1963, Grace founded AMADE Mondiale, an organization promoting the fundamental rights of children worldwide. She was a strong supporter of the art community and promoted local art institutions throughout Monaco.

The Kelly family owned a house near Fairmount Park in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. They spent their summers in Ocean City’s south end, vacationing on the corner of 26th Street and Wesley Avenue, where they lived from 1929 to 2001. Their family held yearly family reunions on Labor Day Weekend that included celebrity friends such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby, as well as the royal family of Monaco.

Grace’s father, John Kelly Sr. was a native of Philadelphia. As an Olympic rower in the 1920s, he won three gold medals in single and doubles sculling. He would go on to form a construction company, Kelly’s “For Brickwork,” which laid the foundation for new skyscrapers in Philadelphia as well as their family beach house. Grace’s brother, John Kelly Jr, was a lifeguard for the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Much like his father, he participated in the 1956 Olympic rowing events.

His wife, Margaret, was an athletic coach and instructor at the Pennsylvania College for Women.

Sadly, on September 13, 1982, Grace died after suffering a stroke while driving near her Monaco home. To this day, the Kelly’s summer home remains untouched in its entire splendor. It is a marvel to witness this small piece of history in our own backyard, and how fortunate we were to serve as host to royalty.

There is a wide display of memorabilia representing the life of Grace Kelly and her family on display year-round at the Ocean City Historical Museum. The Museum recently hosted its annual Grace Kelly High Tea at the Flanders Hotel. You truly do not want to miss it next year.