Daily Mirror - Monday 20 September 1982

Why Ari Onassis had to leave Monaco...

It was recalled in one of the papers at the weekend how Princess Grace had dislodged from Monaco in the early days one of the principalities most powerful unwanted figures, Aristotle Onassis. 

What was not included was the following thus far unrecorded story of how Grace and Onassis first met. 

Onassis, who had an immense financial stake in the tiny country and who had certainly more effective influence than Prince Rainier, was given to inviting any visiting celebrity on to his yacht in the harbour. 

In the mid-fifties Cary Grant went to Monaco to make the Alfred Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief. 

His co-star, of course, was Grace Kelly, who was later during that visit to meet her future husband, Rainier. 

"Come and have lunch", said Onassis to Grant. 

The actor duly turned up with Grace who, for the occasion, had her hair swept rather severely back and was wearing glasses. 

After the meal Onassis showed them ashore and took his leave of Cary Grant. Nodding towards Grace Kelly he told Grant: "Come anytime. And feel free to bring your secretary".