WASHINGTON, DC.- Smithsonian Associates, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco and Smithsonian Gardens, presents “Princess Grace: Celebrating an Enduring Legacy,” Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building at 900 Jefferson Dr. S.W. The free program explores the remarkable life and cultural influence of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. Tickets for this program are sold out. To join the wait list, the public can visit the Smithsonian Associates website or call (202) 633-3030.

Kelly, an American film star, became Princess Grace of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III in 1956. She is celebrated for her elegance, philanthropy and lasting influence on fashion and cinema. An avid gardener, she loved flowers—especially roses—and spent time tending gardens at her homes. An elegant blush-pink rose is named after her.

The program opens with a special ceremony for invited guests in the Smithsonian’s Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden to dedicate four reproductions of a historic swan bench in the collection of Smithsonian Gardens, including one honoring Princess Grace. Permanently installed on the National Mall, the bench serves as a lasting public tribute to Princess Grace and the friendship between Monaco and the United States. Planted alongside the swan bench, the Princess Grace rose will serve as a living tribute and provide a place of beauty and reflection for generations of visitors.

The evening public program will feature a historian’s presentation focused on Princess Grace, her support for the performing arts and her life as a Hollywood icon, followed by a conversation between subject-matter experts. It will also highlight the ongoing work of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in supporting emerging artists in theater, dance and film, extending her legacy to new generations of creative talent. Afterward, guests will enjoy a light reception in an Arts and Industries Building room adorned with a rose display curated by Smithsonian Gardens. The reception will also feature a commemorative display inspired by To Catch a Thief, one of Princess Grace’s most celebrated films, offering guests an opportunity to reflect on her remarkable cinematic legacy.

The event coincides with the 70th anniversary of the marriage of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy of Monaco in Washington, D.C., offering an opportunity to celebrate the enduring ties between Monaco and the United States. Part of the Enduring Power of International Exchange series, the program acknowledges the warm relationship between the United States and the Principality of Monaco while highlighting the story of Princess Grace, an American who became an international figure and continuing symbol of cultural exchange and international friendship. The Enduring Power of International Exchange is organized by Smithsonian Associates as part of the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: 250” initiative.