Nicole Kidman was ''honoured'' to play Grace Kelly in 'Grace of Monaco'.

The Oscar-winning star is set to portray the glamorous Hollywood actress - who later became Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco - in a new biopic and she hopes she is able to successfully bring the character to life.

She told 'Access Hollywood': ''It was a real honour to play her. I hope I captured her essence ... I mean, you never know, but it won't be for lack of trying.''

'Grace of Monaco' will be set in the 1960s and concentrate on the actress-turned-princess' crisis of identity and marriage as her husband, Prince Rainier III, enters into a political dispute with France's Charles De Gaulle.

The cast includes Tim Roth as Grace's royal husband, Frank Langella, Sir Derek Jacobi and Milo Ventimiglia.

The biopic has received harsh criticism from members of the Monaco royal family, with Grace's children denouncing the film as ''pure fiction'' and insisting they have no involvement.

Kidman subsequently defended the movie and claims it is ''respectful'' of Grace, who died in 1982.

She said: ''I wanted to be respectful of her, her story and her essence so hopefully that will all come through.''