Royal Photos Reveal Key Differences Between Charles And Diana’s Wedding And William And Kate’s Wedding
The then-Prince of Wales’ wedding to Diana Spencer was an era-defining event — as was Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding a few decades later. But while one marriage ended in heartbreak and chaos, the other is going strong to this day. If you compare photos from both weddings, you can see almost straight away the stark differences between the two. And it’s extremely telling of the fates that would befall each couple.
1. The carriage ride
You only have to look at this photo of Diana in the wedding carriage to get the feeling she absolutely didn’t want to be there. But the second the engagement ring had gone on her finger, she couldn’t back out. In comparison, Kate and William seem very happy waving to the crowd, and more importantly, they seem very happy with each other too.
2. Special tiaras
It isn’t a proper royal wedding if the most stunning tiaras ever made aren’t on display. For Diana’s wedding, she wore the Spencer tiara, which had been passed down through her family for generations. And for Kate’s big day, the bride was given a loan of the Cartier Halo tiara, which is part of the Queen’s collection and constructed from hundreds of diamonds.
3. Walking down the aisle
These photos are so very similar, but also so very different. As Diana walks out through the church with Charles, she looks hidden inside her massive dress and very nervous under that veil. She’s not holding his hand, just clinging to his arm. But Kate is holding hands with her new husband and the pair look happy to be married at last.
4. The monarch
Queen Elizabeth II oversaw the marriages of both her son Charles and her grandson William, and both times she wore something understated yet elegant to the ceremony. In 1981 she wore a blue ensemble, and in 2011 she picked a light-yellow coat and hat by Angela Kelly. Both times she accessorized with expensive pieces of jewelry and her now-famous gloves.
