#jeannine Ouimet

[gracie-bird]

Princess Grace's signed letter addressed to Jeannine Ouimet, personal secretary of the Princess, dated April 9, 1962.

(…) Thank you for your note. I am delighted to know that you are able to be free so quickly. I will be in Paris on the 16th, 17th and 18th and as I want to be here to get you started myself. I suggest we wait until after Easter to begin – that is Tuesday the 24th of April. I would however like you to come in for about an hour before that to meet Colonel Ardant and a few other people in the palace. Perhaps thursay, the 19th around eleven o'clock if that is agreeable. I look forward to having you in my service and to a happy association together (…)

Source: Letteratura Tattile.

[gracie-bird]

A set of two beautiful handwritten and signed letters, plus a signed typescript, all addressed to Jeannine Ouimet, Princess Grace's personal secretary.

The first letter is dated 6 April 1962, on headed paper bearing the Princess' insignia embossed in light blue, and fixes the first appointment between the new secretary and Grace. The expected date is April 24, a Tuesday, given that the princess will first be in Paris from April 16 to 18, and then East Falls (Philadelphia) on the 22nd. 

Their collaboration begins under the best auspices, as Grace writes: "...I look forward to having you in my service and to a happy association together." A splendid Canadian girl, previously employed at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, becomes therefore, after a simple interview, Grace Kelly's personal secretary, until 1965. The year in which the second letter is placed, dated March 7, 1965. The date is important and so is the content of the letter: Grace thanks Jeannine for her best wishes on the occasion of the birth of Stéphanie, the third child of Grace and Rainier III, born on February 1, 1965. Grace describes her as follows: "She is an adorable little angel and bring us great joy. As you can imagine the children are thrilled, particularly Caroline". The typewritten and signed letter, also on headed paper, is dated January 9, 1968 and contains best wishes for a splendid 1968, which Jeannine began in California, defined by Grace as "...beautiful part of America". 

A beautiful, meaningful whole, testimony to a sincere friendship built around a special working relationship between Princess Grace and her assistant.

The letters were sold at Finarte Auctions in Rome on June 18, 2018 for €1,063