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#PhotoOp: Rare photos from Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding

You get to see them here first.

Harper's Bazaar India

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 many of the following photos, some which were 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. Here are some of the historic images, along with other rare photographs captured during the 1981 royal wedding.

The rehearsal

                      Image: PA Images Getty Images via Harpersbazaar.com

Guests arrive for the wedding rehearsal of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer the day before their wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral.

The dress designers

                                          Image: Tim Graham via Harpersbazaar.com

Fashion designer team David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who were tapped to design Diana's wedding dress, invite photographers to their studio before the wedding.

Prince Edward's arrival

                                      Image: Princess Diana Archive Getty Images

Prince Charles' youngest brother, Prince Edward, waves to well-wishers, as he arrives at St. Paul's Cathedral in a coach with Diana's bridal attendants.

The bridesmaids' arrival

                                                        Image: Mirror Pix Getty Images

Bridesmaids India Hicks and Clementine Hambro are photographed riding in the royal coach en route to the ceremony.

The bridesmaid dresses

                                                                                                              Image: Anwar Hussein Getty Images

Diana's bridal attendants wore dresses similar to hers, made in taffeta satin with lace trimmings and finished with yellow ribbon sashes. The youngest bridesmaids, Clementine Hambro and Catherine Cameron, wore colorful flower crowns that matched their bouquets.

Princess Anne's arrival

                                                                Image: PA Images Getty

Princess Anne and her husband, Captain Mark Phillips, arrive at the cathedral before the ceremony, with the Princess' grandmother, the Queen Mother.

Before the ceremony

                                                                    Image: PA Images Getty

As guests wait for Diana's arrival for the ceremony, senior members of the royal family mingle at the front of the altar. In the background, the Queen Mother chats with Princess Anne's husband, Captain Mark Phillips.

The bride arrives

                                               ​​​ Image: David Levenson Getty Images

Diana arrives in her royal coach at St. Paul's Cathedral on her wedding day. Her David and Elizabeth Emanuel dress had so much material, that the taffeta dress got wrinkled on the ride over.

Entering the cathedral

            Image: Hulton Archive Getty Images

Diana makes her way towards the altar, and Prince Charles, while viewers finally get a full look at her stunning wedding dress.

At the altar

Image: Mirrorpix Getty Images

Diana's father, the Earl of Spencer, stands beside her as she meets Prince Charles and his brothers at the altar in St. Paul's Cathedral.

Greeting the queen

diana curtseying to queen
   Image: Tim Grahamgetty Images

According to royal protocol, one must curtsy to the Queen upon seeing her for the first time that day, which is why Princess Diana curtsies towards the monarch during her wedding ceremony.

The bridal attendants

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 Image: Mirrorpixgetty Images

Diana's bridal attendants were seated along the aisle during the ceremony. The eldest was 17 and had the honor of holding the bride's bouquet.

Diana's train

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Image: David Levensngetty Images

The impressive length of Diana's 25-foot-long train is evident in this photo from the ceremony. The dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.

St. Paul's Cathedral

united kingdom   july 29  distant of prince charles and princess diana leaving st pauls cathedral after their wedding  photo by denis waughthe life images collection via getty imagesgetty images
    Image: Denis Waughgetty Images

An aerial view of St. Paul's Cathedral shows Princess Diana and Prince Charles walking down the front steps after their ceremony.

Leaving the cathedral

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         Image: Princess Diana Archive Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip lead the wedding guests out of St. Paul's Cathedral after the ceremony, as is customary.

The fans

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Image: Keystone Getty Images

Crowds of well-wishers line the streets outside of Buckingham Palace to welcome the newly married couple home.

Arriving at Buckingham Palace

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 Image: Mirrorpix Getty Images

Princess Diana and Prince Charles return to Buckingham Palace after their ceremony. The Princess' bridesmaids stand behind her, including Princess Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones.

Fixing the train

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Image: John Shelley Collection Avalgon Getty Images

Princess Diana's bridal attendants help with her train, as she makes her way up the steps at Buckingham Palace.

Nancy Reagan's appearence

First Lady Nancy Reagan Attends The Royal Wedding Of Prince Charles And Lady Diana Spencer
        Image: Bryn Coltongetty Images

Among the many dignitaries and high-profile guests at the wedding was Nancy Reagan, who was photographed at St. Paul's Cathedral wearing a black and white floral dress and brimmed hat.

The queen's outfit

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 Image: John Shelley Collection/ Avalgon Getty Images

The Queen returns home to Buckingham Palace after attending the ceremony. She wore a blue A-line dress with pearls and a matching hat for the nuptials.

Outside of Buckingham Palace

royal wedding 1981
        Image: Princess Diana Archive Getty Images

A number of wedding guests, including Princess Margret (seen at the front of the crowd), gather outside of Buckingham Palace after the wedding.

Diana's bouquet

 Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Princess Diana walks through Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth, while a young boy carries her bouquet in front of her.

Walking through the Palace

      Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Princess Margaret's daughter, Sarah Armstrong Jones, walks behind Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth.

Holding a bridesmaid

           Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Even though it was her big day, Princess Diana carries 5-year-old Clementine Hambro, her youngest bridesmaid, through Buckingham Palace.

Walking with the queen

        Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Diana sets Hambro down as Queen Elizabeth looks on.

The bridal party

             Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Diana smiles while surrounded by her bridesmaids, page boys, and other members of the royal family and the wedding's inner circle.

Greeting the page boys

      Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Princess Diana touches the head of her page boy, as Prince Charles watches and laughs.

The press

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          Image: Serge Lemoinegetty Images

Photographers flocked to the plaza outside of Buckingham Palace and readied their camera lenses in order to capture the couple's balcony kiss.

On the balcony

       Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Prince Charles and Princess Diana are photographed from behind, as they stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Watching the balcony

royal wedding of charles and diana
   Image: John Shelley Collection/ Avalongetty Images

Fans and well-wishers crowd the gates of the palace to catch a glimpse of the royal family on the balcony.

Inside the Palace

 Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Queen Elizabeth watches the crowds outside Buckingham Palace on TV, before making her way outside to greet them.

​​​​​​​Watching the crowds

      Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Queen Elizabeth smiles as she watches the TV and chats with fellow members of the royal family.

Making small talk

 Image: Wally Mcnamee Getty Images

The Queen and Princess Diana share a laugh while standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Greeting fans on the balcony is a tradition for all royal weddings.

Sharing a laugh

 Image: Fox Photos Getty Images

The bride and groom share a candid moment on the balcony, while surrounded by page boys Nicholas Windsor and Edward van Cutsem, both godsons of Prince Charles.

​​​​​​​With the designers

       Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Princess Diana's wedding dress designers, Elizabeth and David Emanuel, arrange the gown before formal photos.

Mingling in the Palace

    Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Princess Michael of Kent is seen from behind in Buckingham Palace. The rest of the guests chat, while the royal family takes photos.

​​​​​​​Rounding up the family

             Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Members of the royal family gather for formal photographs. Clearly, this is not an easy task, even when you're royal.

Taking family photos

   Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Even more members of the royal family gather for formal photographs, while others watch on, perhaps waiting for their turn in front of the camera.

Before the reception

     Image: Lord Patrick Lichfield Courtsey RR Auction

Princess Diana and Prince Charles stand together after their wedding.

The goodbye carriage

         Image: David Levenson Getty Images 

A glimpse at the carriage Prince Charles and Princess Diana rode in as they left Buckingham Palace for their honeymoon aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

 

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