What It Was Really Like The Day Prince Charles And Lady Diana Got Married

When Lady Diana married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981, at the tender age of 20, she was the first British citizen in three centuries to wed an heir to the British throne, according to History. However, she wasn't exactly a commoner. Diana's parents were Edward John Spencer and Frances Ruth Burke Roche, the Viscount and Viscountess Althorp. Previously, it was common for marriages to involve alliances between countries, so royals typically married other royals. Considered the "wedding of the century," the country declared the day a national holiday.

The date was July 29, 1981 and the world was raptly watching their television screens. The occasion was the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Their story made people swoon — a prince swept a commoner off her feet and brought her into the royal family. Millions of people saw them exchange vows at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, including a huge crowd outside, per the BBC. They became husband and wife and it seemed that they were destined to become king and queen at some point in the not-too-distant future.

The world was shocked and saddened in 1997 when Princess Diana, often called the "People's Princess," died tragically in a car wreck in Paris, on the run from paparazzi. It was no secret that all was not well in the life of Princess Di. She divorced Prince Charles in 1996, according to Biography. The dissolution of the royal marriage broke the hearts of millions of admirers all around the globe after a fairytale wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981. Princess Diana remained a well-loved icon, however, as she continued to be known for her unceasing charity work and calm, regal demeanor.

When Lady Diana Spencer was first put forward as a potential wife for obstinate bachelor Prince Charles, the royal family believed the 19-year-old would fit right into the fold. Or the Firm, as they call themselves. After all, Diana had practically grown up in the Queen's back garden, in a house on the royal estate of Sandringham. Her family, the Spencers, had been close advisors to the British monarchy for centuries. Fans of "The Favourite" may know that Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) was Diana's distant relative. And Diana's grandmother Lady Fermoy spent more than 30 years as a loyal lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother. Besides, Diana seemed so eager to please, they assumed she'd be no trouble.

On April 9, 2021, Prince Philip, the duke of Edinburgh, died a few months shy of his 100th birthday. Philip held the distinction of being the longest-serving royal consort in British history from 1921-2021. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, he held the position for 69 years and 62 days and was married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 73 years.