GRACE KELLY - KELLY 'HAD AFFAIR' WITH BRIDESMAID'S HUSBAND

GRACE KELLY had an affair with her bridesmaid's husband, according to a new book on the Hollywood actress-turned-European royal. The REAR WINDOW beauty is alleged to have enjoyed an illicit relationship with MALCOLM REYBOLD - husband of her best friend CAROLYN - during her marriage to PRINCE RAINIER OF MONACO. WENDY LEIGH, author of TRUE GRACE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN AMERICAN PRINCESS, tells the New York Post that legendary gossip columnist AILEEN MEHLE told her about a note written from the actress to Carolyn. Mehle said, "In August 1960, I was at dinner and everyone was agog about the letter Princess Grace had written. "It was a full confession to Carolyn, her friend and bridesmaid, telling her she loved her but she would never be happy, could never live with herself if she did not confess to Carolyn that she had had an affair with Carolyn's husband, Malcolm. She said she was sorry. She was seeking expiation." Leigh adds, "At that time, Grace's father was on his deathbed. I believe that Grace became virtually unhinged by grief at the prospect of losing him. Hence, her letter of confession to Carolyn. As to her affair with Malcolm, wrong as it was, I believe that she succumbed to Malcolm, an accomplished seducer, at a time when she was vulnerable in the extreme. But receiving that letter from Grace was the beginning of the downfall of Carolyn." Leigh says Carolyn has confirmed Kelly wrote a confession letter to her and that she had forgiven her.

26/03/2007 17:55