On July 29, 1981, Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, Prince of Wales in front of 3,500 guests and 750 million viewers worldwide. You’ve probably already seen the famous photos from that day, from the bride entering St. Paul’s Cathedral in her Elizabeth and David Emanuel gown to the newlyweds waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. What you haven’t seen are the following photos, taken by the assistant of Lord Patrick Lichfield, a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth and the only informal photographer permitted to take photos at the wedding. The images, never before seen by the public, show a more casual side of the royal family, from Diana embracing her youngest bridesmaid to Queen Elizabeth watching the wedding coverage on a small TV.
Now, the collection of 14 images are headed to the auction block as part of RR Auction’s Remarkable Rarities Auction, which goes live on September 17. In a letter of provenance submitted by the assistant, he writes, “We were assigned by the royal couple, to take informal and formal photographs of the royal family and their invited guests after the ceremony when they returned to Buckingham Palace for the wedding reception. These are the photographs that were not used in the family album that Lord Lichfield presented to Prince Charles and Princess Diana to commemorate the day of their wedding.” see the historic images below.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles stand together after their wedding
Princess Diana carries five year old Clementine Hambro
Diana sets Hambro down as Queen Elizabeth looks on
Diana smiles as Prince Andrew speaks to Hambro
Princess Diana touches the head of her page boy as Prince Charles laughs
Prince Charles and Princess Diana are seen from behind as they stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabeth watches the crowds outside Buckingham palace on TV
Queen Elizabeth smiles as she watches The TV
The wedding gown's designers, Elizabeth and David Emanuel, arrange the dress before formal photos.
