Daily Mirror - November 27, 1957
JOHN ROLLS
LIFE IN THE MIRROR
Rainier was full of airs - and Grace
It gave me quite a thrill to watch the Rainiers of Monaco arriving at London Airport yesterday for their private “shopping holiday.
They were the most un-V.I.P.-looking V.I.P.s, and the most democratic "royals" I've seen there.
They flew tourist class from Nice.
On the plane they had a snack of meat and cheese sandwiches, fancy cakes and sweet biscuits and tea out of plastic cups.
They didn't try to hide the fact that they are so obviously in love.
Warm Smile
THE Princess was pale, slightly nervous, yet regal.
She smiled warmly as she stepped into the cold November air off the plane.
The Prince, who has sometimes seemed over-zealous about protocol and such-like, was jovial, ebullient and beaming.
He was full of airs... and Grace.
His dress matched his manner... navy blue sports jacket with olive green stripes, dark grey flannel trousers, elastic-sided brown suede shoes.
Friendly tickle
On the way from the airport to Mayfair’s sedate Connaught hotel, he had his arm resting along the top of the back seat of their car.
Occasionally he tickled Grace’s neck. She turned and smiled.
He smoked two cigarettes, but didn’t offer any to Grace.
‘Don’t Mind’
At the hotel I asked whether if, in view of the fact that they already have a daughter, they would prefer a boy this time.
Princess Grace gave me a charming smile and said: "I really don't mind."
Prince Rainier laughed, adding; "I'll take what comes,"
‘The Tops'
I ASKED my girl friend Gay (she's an expert on feminine affairs) what she thought of Grace. She said:
"As a mother-to-be, Princess Grace looked the tops. She was elegant, happy and healthy.
"It wasn’t until the cameras began to whirr that she remembered her film training. She put on her biggest smile.
Same Coat
PRINCESS GRACE'S outfit was one that any ordinary Mum could copy,
"She wore a loose camel-haired coat (the one she wore before the birth of Princess Caroline), a grey pleated skirt and white and tan shirt. And high-heeled brown shoes.
"Is she going on a beer diet?
"Grace laughed when I asked and said: 'The doctor put me on a beer diet when Caroline was born to help me get my strength back. I'll have to wait until the new baby is born and see about it.'
"About clothes, Princess Grace said: 'I want to remain fashionable lust as long as I can.'"
Some Mum.
So Shy
ANOTHER refreshing, no fuss royal arrival at London Airport was that of PRINCE JEAN and PRINCESS JOSEPHINE CHARLOTTE from LUXEMBOURG.
They were also in a relaxed, away-from-it-all mood.
They had left their four children at home.
Jean, like Rainier, wore a sports jacket and grey trousers
From the airport they drove off quietly to Claridges hotel for a few days' stay.
Later they plan to stay with friends in the country.
"What a quiet, shy couple they are," said the manager of Claridges after seeing them settled in.
