Rare Images From Diana and Charles’ Royal Wedding That Most People Haven't Seen

When Prince Charles and Princess Diana tied the knot in 1981, their nuptials were dubbed the “wedding of the century.” But while the BBC confirms the wedding was one of the most-watched broadcasts in history, we all know that some drama managed to play out on the world stage without the public even noticing. These rare images from Charles and Diana's iconic big day expose specific details, from dodging traditions to covered mistakes, that we're only just learning 40 years in retrospect.

The gathering crowds

Charles and Diana got engaged just five months prior to their big day on July 29, 1981. Despite the short timeframe, it was long enough for wedding fever to take hold in the U.K. as 600,000 people lined the London streets in the hopes of watching history unfold. This picture shows a small part of that crowd, many of whom were waving flags as they waited for the royal party to pass by.

Indeed, there was an atmosphere of enormous excitement in the crowds filling London's streets. But it wasn’t just everyday folk who were excited by the prospect of the royal wedding.

Wedding guests of high esteem

Here, comedian Spike Milligan can be seen entertaining the crowds on the big day. Milligan had been made famous by The Goon Show back in the 1950s and was one of Britain's best-known faces of the era. He joined an illustrious congregation of 3,500 people at the wedding, which included royalty from across Europe, as well as numerous heads of state, and many individuals from the showbiz and celebrity world.

Royal couples often receive wonderful and wacky gifts to celebrate their union, and Charles and Diana were no exception. Pupils from the school where Diana taught gifted the couple with some of their own artwork.