On this historic day, July 29, 1981, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer exchanged vows and became husband and wife. This momentous event was not only memorable for the couple but also for the world, as it marked the first-ever televised royal wedding. Approximately 750 million people from 74 countries tuned in to watch this grand occasion, according to the BBC’s website.
The streets of London were filled with an additional 600,000 onlookers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the 32-year-old future king on his wedding day. Princess Diana, only 20 years old at the time, wore a magnificent gown crafted by renowned designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel. Made of silk and taffeta, the gown featured a 25-foot train adorned with mother-of-pearl sequins and about 10,000 pearls, creating a truly breathtaking ensemble that barely fit in the carriage Diana rode in with her father to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
David Emanuel later reflected on the dress, describing it as emblematic of the early ’80s style—lavish, romantic, and flamboyant. He and Elizabeth Emanuel knew it was crucial to get it right, as they were aware it would become a significant piece of history.
The dress was so top-secret that it was even code-named “Deborah” to avoid suspicion. Elizabeth Emanuel fondly recalled that Diana was a lovely and easygoing bride, which made the overall dress-making experience quite enjoyable and adventurous. In an effort to avoid any potential leaks, the Emanuels also prepared a second secret wedding dress, although it was less ornate than the original.
Sticking with wedding traditions, Diana incorporated something old, new, borrowed, and blue into her ensemble. The Spencer Tiara she wore was both an antique and borrowed. A small blue bow sewn onto the dress served as her “something blue.” The choice of St. Paul’s Cathedral as the wedding venue was also a departure from royal customs. The cathedral had not hosted a royal wedding since the marriage of Arthur, Prince of Wales, and Catherine of Aragon in 1501.
In addition to the unique location, the couple’s vows also deviated from tradition. Diana opted not to include the promise to “obey” Charles in her vows, a decision that came after serious discussions between the couple. However, she did unintentionally mix up Charles’s names during the ceremony, adding a touch of humor to the proceedings. Charles, too, had a slight slip-up, saying “thy goods” instead of “my worldly goods” in his vows.
Despite the fairy tale atmosphere created by the wedding, the marriage between Diana and Charles eventually ended. The couple, who had two sons together, William and Harry, separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996. Tragically, Diana was killed in a car accident in 1997. Charles went on to marry Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.
Now, the eldest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has ascended to the throne. On May 6, 2023, Charles was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, with Queen Camilla at his side.
This article was written by Christine Rousselle, a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
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