Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981 in a beautiful ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, becoming Princess Diana. The wedding was broadcast around the world, but many pictures never made it to the public, until now.
Princess Diana was not only a beloved figure in the U.K., but a treasure that tragically left this world much too soon. Around the world, people mourned her loss. While she was alive, she was celebrated for her beauty, her humanitarianism, and her kindness.
Here are a few behind-the-scenes and in-public images from one of the most publicized weddings in history:
The so-called “engagement ring of the century” made its debut on Lady Diana Spencer’s finger on the grounds outside on Buckingham Palace when Prince Charles and Diana announced their engagement. That same sapphire ring is now worn by Kate Middleton, wife of Prince William.
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer pose alongside Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace after she gave her consent for their wedding.
Diana and Charles leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral after their first wedding rehearsal on June 12, 1981, 47 days before the wedding.
Diana leaving Emanuel’s after the final fitting for her wedding dress a week before the wedding.
Designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel, a husband and wife, were chosen to design Lady Di’s taffeta wedding gown. The designs were kept secret until the day of the ceremony, when the press was given a sketch of what they’d see on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Diana and Charles leave the church two days before their wedding.
Crowds of people camped out along the procession route the night before the wedding to ensure a good view.
A firework display over London the night before Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding (July 28, 1981).
On their wedding day (July 29, 1981), people celebrated throughout the U.K. In Wales, the Royal Air Force performed a formation of the Prince of Wales Feathers over Caernarfon Castle.
The people who camped out along the road to see the wedding procession ended up lining the streets with British flags and decorations, hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple.
Messages of support were shown for the new couple throughout the procession route.
The wedding, and the following procession, received worldwide media coverage, with many outlets setting up outposts to live broadcast the events. In the above image, Today hosts Willard Scott, Jane Pauley, and Tom Brokaw are drinking tea before the ceremony.
There were an overwhelming number of photographers at the event.
Two of the royals that were considered to be the “most stylish,” Princess Anne and Princess Margaret, arrived first.
Diana’s bridesmaids arrive in a gold carriage.
Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly attended the wedding.
First Lady Nancy Reagan also attended.
Prince Charles waves to the crowds.
One of the first pictures of Lady Diana in her wedding dress, as she arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
After stepping out of the carriage, the bride revealed that her wedding dress had a 25 foot long train and veil.
Standing beside his two groomsmen, brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, Charles waits for his bride.
Diana walks alongside her father, John Spencer, to the altar, wearing her own family’s jewels.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher attended the ceremony.
St. Paul’s Cathedral was filled with over 3,500 guests.
Princess Diana curtsies for the Queen.
The chief bridesmaid was Sarah Armstrong-Jones, a.k.a. Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon’s daughter.
Princess Diana had a total of five bridesmaids: Clementine Hambro, Catherine Cameron, Sarah-Jane Gaselee, India Hicks, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. Sarah was entrusted with holding Diana’s bouquet.
The exchanging of rings. According to Elle Magazine, “Diana let her nerves show when she accidentally mixed up Prince Charles’ full name, referring to him as Philip Charles Arthur George rather than Charles Philip Arthur George.”
Prince Charles and Diana sharing a private moment during the ceremony.
The couple making their way back down the aisle after saying “I do.”
Leaving the church.
The Queen leading the way as the guests depart the church.
As Prince Charles and Princess Diana make their way from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Buckingham Palace, they were reportedly greeted by a crowd of more than 60,000 supporters.
On the way to Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds drove down Fleet Street.
Police were assigned to manage the massive crowds along the procession route.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s signatures, along with those of their family as witnesses, make the wedding official.
The newlyweds held their reception at Buckingham Palace. The Queen was one of the first to arrive.
Charles and Diana arrive for their reception through the private entrance to Buckingham Palace, along with their wedding party.
Diana’s bridesmaids help her with her train.
The Queen and Princess Diana share a laugh on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana appear affectionate, but shy, standing together on the balcony.
The newlyweds kiss on the balcony.
All of Europe’s royal families get together for a photo on the big day.
With such a large wedding, the issue of cake was going to be a challenge. They ended up having a total of 27 cakes to feed all of their guests, but the official wedding cake was a multi-tiered fruit cake that was made by the head baker at the Royal Naval Cookery School.
Following tradition, Princess Diana’s bouquet was laid upon the tomb of the Unknown Warrior Grave in Westminster Abbey. Her bouquet was made up of white orchids, freesias, gardenias, and lily of the valley flowers, weighed over 4lbs and was nearly 42 inches long.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana left to go on their honeymoon.
The newlywed carriage decorated with a “just married” sign on it and balloons with the Prince of Wales feather on them.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana left for their honeymoon via Waterloo Station by train. Their first three nights as a married couple were spent in the Broadlands, which is the same place Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth spent their wedding night.
After they returned from the Broadlands, the newlyweds set sail on a yacht from Gibraltar to travel around the Mediterranean.
The couple arriving in Scotland for the last part of their honeymoon.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana welcomed photographers to Balmoral, the Queen’s estate in Scotland, for a photo call at the end of their trip, officially ending the royal wedding extravaganza.
