48 The Australian Women’s Weekly | JUNE 2018
It
was a day that will live on in the memories
of all those who saw it, whether they were
among the privileged guests in St Paul’s
Cathedral, the crowds who cheered the
bridal procession through the streets, or the estimated 750 million all
over the world who watched it on television.
The bride came to her wedding in a breathtakingly beautiful dress that spelled
romance in every rustle of the parchment taffeta, the whisper of tulle underpinnings,
the soft fall of the veil and the long, long train that swept back nearly out of sight
of the royal family seated opposite the bride’s family, the Spencers, father, mother,
brother and married sisters.
It was a day of such joy and happiness and strong emotion that many tears rose
and sometimes spilled. They were tears of joy for two people who, through their
simple love for each other, seemed to make the meaning of marriage something
that touched not only their lives but the life of everyone. The Queen brushed a
tear from her eye and Prince Charles sounded quite emotional as the great organ
played his favourite hymn, Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.
The wedding dress was described as ivory, but I thought it much more
sophisticated parchment. It was worked with old lace, which had been Queen
Mary’s and came back into royal use through the royal school of needlework,
its custodian since Queen Mary handed it over. The itted bodice, frilled, curved
neckline that showed off the bride’s beautiful swan-like neck, the intricate
embroidery and lace, and the full puff sleeves and elaborate louncing were
wonderfully romantic. It was the perfect dress for a fairytale princess. →When Lady Diana Spencer married
Prince Charles the whole world
stopped to watch. The Weekly’s
trusted court correspondent Anne
Matheson was there to witness the
historic occasion. As Charles and
Diana’s youngest son enters into
married life, we take a look back at
her beautiful and evocative report.and
ti t d 750 illi llGETTY IMAGES.A ROYAL special