Grace Kelly: the enduring style icon for modern European royals

What's a princess to wear when they are accepting the big promotion? This quandary must have been keeping Princess Máxima of the Netherlands awake at night ever since her mother-in-law decided she was going to abdicate the throne in favour of her son, the Prince of Orange, Willem-Alexander, thus making Máxima the new queen today.

In the event, the 41-year-old blonde did what all sensible European princesses do these days and channelled the most stylish of them all - Princess Grace of Monaco.

Starting out as first a model, then a leading lady in Hollywood, Grace Kelly had a head start (and a lot of help, no doubt) creating her poised and elegant image. But it is an image which has endured for over 60 years.

Queen Máxima's feminine pastel ensemble teamed with her cool blonde hair, twisted and pinned neatly under at the nape of her neck into a French Roll today, both echoed Kelly's signature Fifties style.

Grace Kelly in 1951; Queen Maxima chanelling her hairstyle today. Photos: Rex/ Getty

And Máxima is not the first royal to fall for Kelly's timeless charms. Our own Duchess of Cambridge married her Prince wearing a lace Alexander McQueen dress which bore a striking resemblance to the Helen Rose gown Kelly chose for her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956.

The Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day; Grace Kelly in her wedding gown in 1956. Photos: Christopher Pledger/ Rex

IN PICTURES: The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress

Crown Princess Letizia of Spain and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (The Duchess of Cambridge's style double) meanwhile, both have a penchant for a Kelly-esque ladylike suit and fairytale gowns, and are both perennially groomed to Kelly-standard perfection in all their state regalia whenever the occasion calls.

Princess Grace of Monaco in a tweed skirt suit; Crown Princess Letizia of Spain sporting a smiliar style. Photos: Rex

Even Princess Charlene of Monaco - the rebel princess - has succumbed to the power of her late mother-in-law's image, taming her flowing platinum locks into a chic chignon and dressing in the kind of understated, elegant Giorgio Armani gowns which wouldn't have looked out of place on her predecessor.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark adopts a contrasting black jacket like Kelly did as a star in the 50s. Photos: Rex

IN PICTURES: Charlene of Monaco's style evolution

And as life comes full circle, Hollywood, and the fashion world are falling in love with Grace Kelly all over again. Dior designer Raf Simons' recent couture collections owe much to the timeless beauty's archive of flawless fairy tale looks, while the world waits to see Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman's portrayal of Kelly in upcoming movie Grace of Monaco, scheduled for release next year.

Kelly and the present-day Princess Charlene of Monaco. Photos: Rex

SEE: When actresses play style icons

Via: Grace Kelly: the enduring style icon for modern European royals