#grace levine

Princess Grace Feted at Cocktail Party

By RUTH SELTZER

Princess Grace of Monaco is in Philadelphia. She’ll be here until Wednesday when she flies to California.

For two hours, Her Serene Highness was the honor guest at a gala cocktail party Saturday at the Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne. The party, which we attended, was given by the Auxiliary of the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Princess Grace’s sister, Lizanne - Mrs. Donald Caldwell LeVine, of Gladwyne - is president of the auxiliary. Their mother, Mrs. John B. Kelly, of Germantown, is a vice president of the college’s board of corporators.

More than 300 persons attended the party, which was for sponsors of the Savoy Company’s upcoming production of the Gilbert & Sullivan opera, “Ruddigore.” The opera will be presented May 4 and 5 at the Academy of Music for the benefit of the new Learning Center of the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Princess Grace, wife of the soverign ruler of Monaco, is honorary chairman of the benefit. Interestingly enough, when Sir William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur S. Sullivan wrote ‘Ruddigore” in 1887, they dedicated the opera to Queen Victoria.

At Saturday’s preview party, “musical clips” from Ruddigore were presented by the Savoy Company at the Philadelphia Country Club. Four Savoyards sang excerpts from the opera to Princess Grace, who was seated directly in front of them. The renditions were by Byron Hathaway and his wife, Bunny; June Beard Hiers, and Barry Knerr.

Gerald B. (Barry) Rorer, president of the Savoy Company, welcomed the guests. A. E. Rittenhouse, who acted as master of ceremonies, bowed to Princess Grace when the presentation ended.

Mrs. Donald R. Cooper, of Gladwyne, was chairman of the Medical College of Pennsylvania’s committee for the party. Mrs. John J. McNelis, of Erdenheim, was vice chairman. Sponsors paid $40 a person (or $75 a couple) to come to Saturday’s cocktail party. As an extra bonus, they will receive tickets to next month’s production of “Ruddigore.”

Some Princess Grace notes: The Princess of Monaco received Saturday at the Philadelphia Country Club with her sister, Lizanne, and their brother, John B. Kelly Jr. Mrs. Cooper (Marm) and Mrs. McNelis (Marie) took turns in the receiving line.

Princess Grace is still as beautiful as ever. To Saturday’s party, she wore a white sheer silk evening pants ensemble - printed with brown butterflies. Her costume (it’s by Dior, Paris) was topped by a beige feather boa. Princess Grace continues to be on the international best-dressed Hall of Fame list.

To the party came Mr. and Mrs. Roger Cravetto, of Paris. They flew to New York last week with Prince Rainier III. Princess Grace, who had jetted to Philadelphia a few days earlier, joined them there.

Prince Rainier, Princess Grace and the Cravettos have been guests of Grace’s mother in her spacious Germantown apartment since Friday.

Princess Caroline attended Saturday's party with her cousin, Grace Caldwell LeVine. Both girls are 16. Earlier, the two girls stationed themselves in front of Lord & Taylor's main entrance in Bala Cynwyd - asking for contributions to the Easter Seal campaign.

“We did very well,” said Grace LeVine, who is a student at Harriton High School.

“It was fun. I enjoyed it very much,” said Princess Caroline, who attends a boarding school near London.

Flying to California

Princess Caroline has been staying with her aunt and uncle, Lizanne and Don LeVine, in Gladwyne. On Wednesday, Caroline will fly to California with her mother, Princess Grace; Princess Stephanie, who is 8, and Gracie LeVine. Gracie visited Caroline last summer at the Palace in Monaco.

Before Prince Rainier and the Cravettos jetted to the West Coast on Sunday, they went on a Philadelphia sightseeing tour. Their tour guide was Princess Grace’s brother, who led a two-car cavalcade. Councilman Jack Kelly Jr. knows just about every inch of this city. He was in Cincinnati on Friday and Saturday - returning home in time to attend the party at the Philadelphia Country Club.

No sooner did Jack return from Cincinnati when his phone rang. It was movie-television actor Hugh O’Brian. When Jack learned that Hugh was phoning from Philadelphia, he invited him to the party for Princess Grace.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Rambo (Bud and Maree), of Chestnut Hill, went to the party. Friday night, the Rambos gave a dinner party in their lovely home for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. There were 16 guests.

After the party at the country club, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier were guests at a dinner given by Lizanne and Don LeVine at their Gladwyne home.

Prince Albert, the heir to the throne of Monaco, is still in the principality - attending school. Albert, who celebrated his 15th birthday last month, will soon be jetting to California where he will catch up with his parents and sisters.