In pictures: Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s fairytale royal wedding
It was dubbed the "wedding of the century" for good reason!This week marks 44 years since the wedding of Prince Charles (now King Charles) and Princess Diana.
On July 29, 1981, Charles, then 32, and Diana, then 20, tied the knot at St Paul’s Cathedral in a ceremony that was watched by millions around the world.
Despite their relationship ending in 1992, their wedding day remains one for the history books. At the time, it was dubbed the “wedding of the century”.
Let’s take a look back at that special day in 1981 and how it was a fairytale occasion.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding day in 1981
Charles and Diana married on July 29, 1981, after announcing their engagement months earlier in February.
The ceremony took place at St Paul’s Cathedral and was a traditional Church of England wedding service.
750 million people tuned in across the globe to watch the future king say “I do”. After the ceremony, the couple became the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In one moment, Charles and Diana were seen sitting inside the cathedral as Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen Mother, and Prince Philip watched on.
After saying their vows, a touching moment showed the new Princess of Wales curtsying to Queen Elizabeth II while Charles bowed to his mother.
It was a sign of respect for the monarch, who smiled on at the newlyweds.
Charles and Diana wave and smile in carriage procession
Following the ceremony, Charles and Diana gave members of the public a treat with a carriage procession.
They travelled from the cathedral to Buckingham Palace.
The crowds looked in awe as they cheered the newlyweds, snapping photos as the royal couple passed by.
Prince Charles’ gesture to Diana on palace balcony
As they reached the palace, Charles and Diana made an appearance on the balcony. It’s a tradition at royal weddings.
In one sweet moment, Charles kissed Diana’s hand as she smiled at her new husband.
Princess Diana’s stunning wedding dress and incredible train
Probably one of the most stunning photos from the wedding was an aerial shot of Princess Diana’s incredible Elizabeth and David Emanuel-designed dress and 25-foot train.
Diana reportedly wanted the gown to have the longest train in the royal wedding history.
Charles and Diana’s wedding portrait
Following the ceremony and procession, official photographs were taken of the couple.
These were later released and showed Charles and Diana looking happier than ever.
Queen Elizabeth II’s moment with newlyweds on balcony
In another sweet picture from the balcony appearance, Queen Elizabeth II looked happy as she exchanged words with the newlyweds.
She wore all blue for the occasion, paired with white gloves and a pearl necklace.
Prince Philip was also next to Charles and Diana, and looked equally as happy.
Prince Andrew’s role as best man
Before the ceremony, Charles was seen travelling to the cathedral alongside his younger brother, Prince Andrew.
The brothers travelled by carriage as they both wore their military uniforms.
Both Andrew and his brother Prince Edward were Charles’ best men.
Charles and Diana’s incredible procession
Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Charles and Diana on July 29, 1981.
Many will remember the day like it was yesterday. Although Charles and Diana had a fairytale wedding, 11 years later, they separated. They co-parented their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
They finalised their divorce in 1996, a year before Diana’s tragic death in August 1997.
Years later, in April 2005, Charles remarried as he and Camilla Parker Bowles (now Queen Camila) married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall.
This year, they marked 20 years of marriage.
Read more: Heartbreaking reason Princess Diana ‘willingly gave up’ William and Harry for sake of royal family
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