Inside the 2 Stunning Wedding Ceremonies of Monaco’s Louis Ducruet and Marie Chevallier

2018 was all about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding. The media really zoomed in on the couple, watching their every single move and reporting on any rumor or news that involved Meghan — after all, she was the first American actress who fell in love with a British royal.

And this year, the couple managed to attract attention anew after giving birth to their first bundle of joy, Archie Harrison, in May. However, the Windsors aren’t the only ones having an exciting 2019. We’re halfway into the year and Monaco’s royal clan is also celebrating for milestones in their lives.

It was in February last year when the royal family of Monaco announced that Louis Ducruet, eldest child of Princess Stephanie and ex Daniel Ducruet, got engaged with his long-time girlfriend Marie Chevallier.

The now-husband and wife met in Cannes and immediately knew that it was love at first sight

For those unfamiliar with the clan, the groom is the grandson of the ever-elegant late actress Grace Kelly, who wed Prince Rainier III in 1956.

Love Story

Interestingly, Louis and Marie can boast of an American tie as they both attended Western Carolina University, where the former took a bachelor’s degree in sports management, while the latter, a marketing degree.

The college sweethearts met eight years ago in a Cannes bar and hit it off immediately after learning they both studied at the same institution, although it was when they were studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland when they started dating.

Civil Ceremony

Pauline Ducruet designed her mother’s attire for the civil wedding ceremony

Louis and Marie exchanged “I do’s” twice – first during an intimate private civil ceremony, which, according to reports, was conducted by the Mayor of Monaco.

The receptions took place at the Prince’s Palace gardens where the beautiful bride donned a famous designer Rosa Clara’s creation, a silk jumpsuit with lace embroidery at the waist, while the dapper groom wowed in a Carlo Pignatelli-blue suit.

His mother, Princess Stephanie, looked elegant in an outfit designed by her daughter Pauline, who recently started her own clothing line called Alter Design.

Religious Wedding

While the events weren’t as highly publicized as Grace and Prince Rainier’s wedding ages ago, the recent one sure was just as glamorous. The couple held another ceremony the next day, with more than 200 guests in attendance at the Monaco Cathedral where the two publicly tied the knot.

Just a fun fact: the groom’s grandparents were the last ones in the family to tie the knot at this venue, plus, this was where their funeral and interment were held, and the 26-year-old explained that the choice of venue was a reflection of his love and admiration for his grandfather.

The late couple Princess Grace and Prince Rainier tied the knot at Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Marie arrived at the cathedral in a Rolls Royce that was embellished with flowers and stunned in a lace gown with a 5-meter train that was said to have taken 300 hours to embroider by hand.

This was made possible by Atelier Boisanger and Pauline, the bride’s sisters-in-law who worked their magic on the gown. Louis, who wore a Kim Jones’ Dior Homme gray suit, revealed that his sisters took time to warm up to his girlfriend, but the trio quickly became close friends.

To end the ceremony on a sweet note, both laid flowers at Princess Grace and Prince Rainier’s tombs. This was followed by a reception at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, where they celebrated with close friends and family.