Charles-Diana wedding relived

Who knew in 1981 what would happen in the future? A failed marriage played out in the media, a tragic death and a permanent change in people's perception of the British royalty.

Let's for a moment, go back in time and forget the sham that followed the fairytale of 1981. Let's look back at the gorgeous wedding remains etched in memory.

As the Household Cavalry prepared for the royal procession from the Buckingham Palace to St. Paul's Cathedral on the big day, thousands of commoners joined in the celebrations. Cheering from around the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buck House, as the Palace was fondly called by the family, this was a day of joy for millions of viewers- marked by a national holiday.

At 10:00 hours, the procession started and out came the first royal carriage, carrying Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. In the next carriage was the Queen Mother, 80 years old at the time and her 21-year-old grandson Prince Edward, with Princesses Anne and Margaret following them. The 7-year-old Alexander Windsor followed next, clearly excited and waving at the crowds. This was surely a sight to watch.

Last to leave the Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles was accompanied in his carriage by younger brother Prince Andrew, his supporter at the wedding. As the Prince walked by Clarence House, where Diana was getting ready, he saluted.

Diana has five bridal attendants- whose dresses are also designed by the same designers as the Princess to be- Elizabeth and David Emanuel. One of the bridesmaids, India Hicks is also Prince Charles' goddaughter and she is at hand to give Kate Middleton advice on how to handle all the media attention on the wedding day.

With an audience of 750 million, all eyes were on Di as she proceeded to the cathedral with her father John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer. The glass carriage was too small to comfortably hold Diana's father and Diana in her dress and train. Shy and friendly, Diana waved at the two million odd people lined up to watch her and charmed hearts the world over instantly.

Every bride walks down the aisle, but not everyone is received by a Prince. Diana walked as John-Joseph Mouret's “Roundeau” played with a 6 pound, 42 inch by 15 inch bouquet in hand, as her groom waited for her at the altar.

Diana chose the Emanuels to design her dress because they were known for frills, and she was in a ‘frilly phase'. A train 25 feet long, exaggerated puff sleeves and a skirt that redefined full-750 million viewers all over the world had already fallen in love with the 20-year-old. The Emanuels also wanted the veil to look magical under the lights, and hence 10,000 pea-sized sequins were hand embroidered into it.

As the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Robert Runcie pronounced the two husband and wife, the members of the royal family and the whole world looked on.

Di did not say that she would "obey" him; that traditional vow was left out at the couple's request, which raised some eyebrows at the time.

Hand in her husband's arm, Princess Diana walked out of the cathedral to huge rounds of cheering from the spectators. The couple would now proceed to Buckingham palace for a small dinner for 120.

The couple had 27 wedding cakes with the official wedding cake being supplied by the Naval Armed Forces. David Avery, the head baker at the Royal Naval cooking school, in Chatham, Kent, made the cake. It took 14 weeks, and the bottom layer took 12 hours to bake. They made 2 identical cakes, just in case one was damaged in transit.

Appearing on a balcony, Diana and Charles kissed amidst cries of joy and sighs from the crowd below.

After wedding toasts and a breakfast with 120 family guests, the couple were driven off in a landau, with a ‘Just Married' sign attached by Princes Andrew and Edward. They soon got to the train from Waterloo station to Romsey in Hampshire to begin their honeymoon.

On a truly historic day, Diana soon became the ‘People's Princess'. Sadly, this was one fairytale where the prince and princess did not live happily every after.