Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
 

50 Rarely-Seen Photos From Princess Diana’s Wedding to Prince Charles

Photo Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images

On July 29, 1981, the world bore witness to one of the most anticipated weddings of the century: Lady Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales. Coming a few months after their engagement that February, the event was international news, with media outlets and Royal Family fans converging on the United Kingdom to witness it firsthand.

Given the fanfare surrounding the wedding, it’s no surprise that numerous photographs were taken on the special day, as well as in the lead-up. The following are some images you might not have seen back in the 1980s.

Final wedding dress fitting

Lady Diana Spencer walking out of a building, while a man stands next to her, holding an umbrella
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Captured on July 22, 1981, this image shows Diana leaving the final fitting for her wedding dress! The gorgeous piece was crafted by dressmakers David and Elizabeth Emanuel, whose work the future Princess of Wales had previously worn.

Coordinating security for the big day

Inspector Peter Smith pointing at a map, while other police officers work at a desk in the middle of a room
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

One of the biggest parts of planning for Diana and Prince Charles‘ wedding was ensuring there was enough security to keep them, the British Royal Family, their guests and civilians safe. This picture, taken at Scotland Yard in London, United Kingdom, gives a behind-the-scenes look at preparations.

Speaking of preparations…

Chief Petty Officer Philip Greenaway giving orders to British Royal Navy sailors who are standing in a row
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

Scotland Yard wasn’t the only organization making plans for the big day – the British Royal Navy was involved, too. About 200 sailors trained at HMS Excellent, near Portsmouth, to ensure they were ready to stand along the procession route.

Wedding rehearsal at St. Paul’s Cathedral

Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles walking down stairs with other people
Photo Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images

Two days before their wedding, Diana and Prince Charles had their rehearsal at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

What? If regular people have rehearsals, why wouldn’t the Royal Family?!

A closer look at the couple

Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles walking together down a flight of stairs
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

Here’s another look at the couple leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral following the rehearsal on July 27, 1981. Are those pre-wedding jitters we see on Diana’s face?

Prince Charles’ godson was in attendance for the rehearsal

Edward Van Cutsem walking past a crowd of people with a woman
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

Members of the wedding party also attended the rehearsal, including Prince Charles’ godson and page boy Edward Van Cutsem.

Speaking with the media

Television crew standing around David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who are sitting on a couch
Photo Credit: Mirrorpix / Getty Images

It’s no surprise the media wanted to speak with David and Elizabeth Emanuel, given they were the brains behind the dress Diana wore on her wedding day. At the time, it was one of the most famous wedding dresses in the world, and it’s design was kept secret until the big day.

Camping out

People lying in sleeping bags and a man sitting in a foldable chair
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

On the night before the big day, thousands of admirers of the Royal Family camped out along the procession route, to ensure they would be able to catch a glimpse of the happy couple as they traveled by.

Waiting outside Buckingham Palace

Kathleen Lucus knitting while sitting in front of Buckingham Palace
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

Some chose to take a nap to pass the time while they waited for Diana and Prince Charles, while others, like Kathleen Lucus, used the wait to catch up on some knitting. Here she is waiting outside of Buckingham Palace with other eager Royal Family fans.

Arrival of Nancy Reagan

Crowd standing around First Lady Nancy Reagan
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

This image shows First Lady Nancy Reagan arriving at Fitzroy Square, in London. She attended Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding on behalf of her husband, US President Ronald Reagan.

Showing off their patriotism

Three women sitting on the ground while wearing clothing decked out in Union Jacks
Photo Credit: Terry Fincher / Getty Images

Talk about patriotic! These three women were showing their dedication to the United Kingdom while waiting for Diana and Prince Charles to travel by after their nuptials.

Arrival of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury, walking up stairs
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

The late Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, was the one who officiated Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral. This image shows him arriving at the church on the big day.

Waving to spectators

Lady Diana Spencer waving to a crowd of people from within a horse-drawn carriage
Photo Credit: Princess Diana Archive / Getty Images

OMG, we’re finally at the big day! Here’s the soon-to-be Princess of Wales waving at spectators as she’s transported in a horse-drawn carriage. While the crowd couldn’t fully see her dress, the veil over her face gave them a hint at how extravagant it was.

A long day’s wait

Two girls sitting with their heads toward the ground behind a group of people
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

We have to hand it to the hundreds of thousands of spectators who lined the streets of London on the wedding day – we know we wouldn’t have been able to hack it. As this image shows, all that waiting was a tiring affair.

Princess Diana’s bridesmaids

Bridesmaids walking into St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: John Shelley Collection / Avalon / Getty Images

You’re probably wondering, who were Diana’s bridesmaids on her special day? Lucky for you, we have the answer!

The young ladies who stood alongside her were Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon’s niece; India Hicks, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II‘s lady-in-waiting; Clementine “Clemmie” Hambro, the granddaughter of late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill; Sarah-Jane Gaselee, the daughter of Prince Charles’ jockey coach; and Catherine Cameron, daughter of Lady Cecil Cameron.

Queen Elizabeth II’s arrival

Queen Elizabeth II walking into St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: John Shelley Collection / Avalon / Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II attended Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding in a lovely blue number and matching hat. If the rumors are true, marriages always ended in divorce when she wore this color to weddings.

First Lady Nancy Reagan arrives at St. Paul’s Cathedral

First Lady Nancy Reagan walking with others up a flight of stairs
Photo Credit: Bryn Colton / Getty Images

Of course we had to include an image of Nancy Reagan arriving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the big day! In the years after the wedding, she and Diana would spend a lot of time together, forming a close friendship.

Page boys and bridesmaids

Bridesmaids and page boys standing at the entrance to St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Anwar Hussein / Getty Images

We’ve already discussed Diana’s bridesmaids, as well as Edward Van Cutsem, but we haven’t talked about the second page boy in this image: Lord Nicholas Windsor. He’s the youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Look at the train on that wedding dress!

Lady Diana Spencer walking up the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Anwar Hussein / Getty Images

The train on Diana’s wedding dress was an impressive 25 feet long, so it’s no surprise she needed help with it to make sure it didn’t get caught on anything as she walked down the aisle at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Standing at the altar

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer standing at the altar in St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

After the long walk down the aisle at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diana stood alongside her husband-to-be while Robert Runcie spoke to them and attendees about their union.

How many guests were in attendance?

Overhead view of the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images

St. Paul’s Cathedral was chosen because of how much seating it has, and, as you can see, this was more than needed. It’s reported that 3,500 guests were in attendance at Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding.

Close-up of Princess Diana

Lady Diana Spencer walking up stairs in her wedding dress
Photo Credit: AFP / Getty Images

We wanted to provide you with this full view of Diana’s dress because it’s absolutely stunning! We’ve already discussed the train, but now we can go into detail about the piece as a whole. Made from antique lace and taffeta, it was said to have be worth around £9,000 back in 1981.

Another view of the 25-foot train

Overhead view of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles sitting at the altar at St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

In case the earlier image didn’t give you an idea of just how long the train of Diana’s wedding dress was, we decided to throw this photo in to give you another perspective.

Officiating the wedding

Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles standing before Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Standing alongside the couple as they were wed by Robert Runcie were Prince Andrew, Charles’ brother, and the late Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer, who was Diana’s father.

Another angle of the four together

Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer; Prince Andrew; Lady Diana Spencer; and Prince Charles standing together at the altar at St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Here’s another image of the four together, this time singing a church hymn during the wedding ceremony.

Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer walked Princess Diana down the aisle

Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer walking Lady Diana Spencer down the aisle
Photo Credit: Anwar Hussein / Getty Images

Before standing alongside his daughter, Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer walked her down the aisle. While a touching moment at any wedding, this was a particularly special gesture, as a prior stroke had left him unsteady on his feet. Despite this, he was more than determined to walk with Diana as she began this new chapter of her life.

Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales

Princess Diana and Prince Charles walking together in wedding attire
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

This is one of our favorite photos from the wedding of Diana and Prince Charles; the look on her face makes us smile.

Leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral a married couple

Princess Diana and Prince Charles leaving St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Here’s a look at the newly-married couple leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral, their arms linked together in a show of love and solidarity.

A look at the bridesmaids’ dresses

India Hicks and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones standing on steps
Photo Credit: PA Images / Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at the dresses the bridesmaids were asked to wear for the special day. India Hicks has since spoken about the gowns, which concerned her when she initially saw them.

“It was a time and place and a moment in fashion in the 1980s. So it was voluptuous and over the top, and drama everywhere,” she told Insider back in 2022. “I understand that those dresses were so befitting to the era. However, if you were a tomboy like me… when you are asked to be a bridesmaid, you are proud and delighted, but you are a little alarmed at being asked to wear a filly dress, as you can imagine.”

What a crowd!

Police officers standing in front of a large crowd
Photo Credit: Terry Fincher / Getty Images

When we said hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of London on the big day, we weren’t lying! There’s a reason why Scotland Yard put in so much work beforehand to ensure enough police officers were around to keep the peace.

Waving to the crowd

Queen Elizabeth II and Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer waving to a crowd of people standing around the horse-drawn carriage they're riding in
Photo Credit: Gary Merrin / Getty Images

Never one to shy away from publicity, Queen Elizabeth II is seen here with Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer waving to the crowd of joyous spectators upon arriving at St. James’ Palace.

There’s Prince Philip!

Prince Philip and Frances Shand Kydd riding in a horse-drawn carriage
Photo Credit: Gary Merrin / Keystone / Getty Images

You didn’t think we’d leave out Prince Philip, did you? This image shows the late Duke of Edinburgh riding in a horse-drawn carriage with Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd.

Princess Alexandra and Angus Ogilvy

Horse-drawn carriage leaving St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo Credit: Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Here we have Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy and her husband, Angus Ogilvy, leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral following the wedding ceremony.

Unique ways to catch a glimpse of the married couple

Close-up of a crowd of people
Photo Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images

Talk about an ingenious way to ensure you don’t miss a second of what’s happening! Several spectators in this photo have special viewing boxes that allowed them to see above the heads of those in front of them.

Congratulations!

Princess Diana and Prince Charles being transported beneath a sign that reads, "CONGRATULATIONS"
Photo Credit: Jayne Fincher / Getty Images

Signs just like this one were put up not just across London, but all over the United Kingdom to celebrate Diana and Prince Charles’ nuptials; everyone got into the spirit!

Say cheese!

Police officer standing in the middle of a street, holding a camera
Photo Credit: Mirrorpix / Getty Images

Not only was this police officer making sure everyone remained safe on the wedding day, he was also kind enough to take a picture of the crowd for one of the spectators. Little did he know that he’d be caught on camera, too!

Celebrating the married couple

Sign featuring a portrait of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles, held above a crowd of people
Photo Credit: Graham Wiltshire / Getty Images

Several of the spectators who gathered to watch the procession brought signs (many handmade) expressing how happy they were for the couple.

Media craze

Members of the media standing behind cameras
Photo Credit: Serge Lemoine / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

As aforementioned, Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding caused a media firestorm, so it’s no surprise many members of the press set up shop outside of Buckingham Palace to capture photos of the couple.

TODAY, live from Buckingham Palace

Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley sitting at a desk outside of Buckingham Palace
Photo Credit: NBC / NBC NewsWire / Getty Images

NBC’s TODAY Show always tries to cover highly-anticipated events in person, and the wedding between Diana and Charles was no exception. This image shows presenters Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley at the Victoria Memorial at Buckingham Palace, ready to bring the events of the day to the American public.

Portrait of the wedding party

Portrait of Princess Diana, Prince Charles and their wedding party
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

We love this portrait of Princess Diana and Prince Charles with their wedding party. What a great image to remember the day by!

Stunning bride

Wedding portrait of Princess Diana
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Getty Images

An absolutely stunning portrait of Diana on her wedding day.

Crowding around Buckingham Palace

Spectators and media standing outside Buckingham Palace
Photo Credit: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

With the Royal Family having made their way to Buckingham Palace, the media and well wishers crowded in front of the building to catch a glimpse of them. If you look closely, you can see police officers standing in front of the gate, to ensure no one could slip through.

Family photo on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

British Royal Family standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace
Photo Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images

This is arguably one of the most well-known photos from Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding; the whole Royal Family standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, appearing before the adoring public.

Famous wedding cake

Chief Petty Officer cook David Avery standing with a wedding cake
Photo Credit: Princess Diana Archive / Getty Images

Given Prince Charles’ connections to the Royal Navy, the service was tasked with baking the cake for his and Diana’s wedding. As Chief Petty Officer David Avery was head baker at the time, he was given the honor of crafting it.

Another view of the wedding cake

Chief Petty Officer cook David Avery and two others standing with a wedding cake
Photo Credit: Terry Fincher / Getty Images

David Avery was given free reign when it came to designing the cake, but, as he told Honey in 2021, this proved to be difficult, as the public knew very little about the princess-to-be. “I found it quite hard because there was nothing much [known] about Diana, so it ended up being more of a naval type of cake – all I could do was the Spencer crest,” he explained.

Along with the family crest, Avery made sure to include the Prince of Wales emblem and symbols that represented Buckingham Palace, the military roles Prince Charles had held up to that point, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Highgrove.

Lion dancing troupe

Lion dancing troupe performing in the middle of a street in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Photo Credit: Ron Broster / Mirrorpix / Getty Images

The celebrations extended far beyond the streets of London! This image shows a lion dancing troupe from Liverpool’s Chinese community putting on a performance, in honor of Diana and Prince Charles’ nuptials.

What a hat!

Spectators waving along the side of a street
Photo Credit: Terry Fincher / Getty Images

Some spectators held up signs with their congratulations, while others wore hats featuring the happy couple’s faces.

Signatures in the marriage register

Close-up of the marriage register, with signatures from Prince Charles, Princess Diana and Robert Runcie
Photo Credit: Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Here’s a close-up of the marriage register signed by Diana, Prince Charles and Robert Runcie at the wedding ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

‘We love the Royals’

Spectators holding a banner that reads, "WE LOVE THE ROYALS"
Photo Credit: Doug McKenzie / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Waving British flags and standing with a banner that reads, “WE LOVE THE ROYALS,” it looks like this group of spectators were overjoyed to have had a front-row seat along the procession on the day of Diana and Charles’ wedding.

Family portrait

Portrait of the British Royal Family
Photo Credit: Hulton-Deutsch Collection / CORBIS / Getty Images

More from us: Take a Look at the Iconic 1955 Christian Dior Fashion Shows in Scotland

Want articles by The Vintage News delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

We’re closing out our article with a lovely portrait of Diana, Prince Charles, their wedding party and their families. What a photo!

Clare Fitzgerald

Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from King’s University College at Western University, her portfolio includes coverage of digital media, current affairs, history and true crime.

Among her accomplishments are being the Founder of the true crime blog, Stories of the Unsolved, which garners between 400,000 and 500,000 views annually, and a contributor for John Lordan’s Seriously Mysterious podcast. Prior to its hiatus, she also served as the Head of Content for UK YouTube publication, TenEighty Magazine.

In her spare time, Clare likes to play Pokemon GO and re-watch Heartland over and over (and over) again. She’ll also rave about her three Maltese dogs whenever she gets the chance.

Writing Portfolio
Stories of the Unsolved

linkedin.com/in/clarefitz/