Thirty-nine years ago, on July 29, 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
More than 600,000 people gathered in the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal bride and groom. And according to BBC, an estimated 750 million people tuned in around the world to watch the nuptials on TV.
For the occasion, the Princess of Wales donned an ivory silk taffeta gown with antique lace, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who were relatively unknown at the time. Her now-famous wedding dress was hand-embroidered with more than 10,000 pearls and also included a 25-foot train.
In spite of the seemingly fairytale romance, Princess Diana and Prince Charles endured marital troubles, separating in 1992 and eventually divorcing in 1996. A year after the split, Princess Diana was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris.
Check out some more photos from the couple's wedding day below:
Picture of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Charles of Wales at their wedding at St Paul's Cathedral in London in this file photo dated 29 July 1981 (AFP/Getty Images)
The bride arrives on the arm of her father, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer. (Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales passes the thousands of personal guests that attended the Royal Wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. (AP Photo)
Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales kissing his wife, Princess Diana, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London after their marriage. (Keystone/Getty Images)
Prince Charles looks at his beaming bride at the top of St. Paul's steps after their marriage. (Press Association/AP)
Police and crowds during the wedding procession of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer. (Terry Fincher/Getty Images)
Prince Charles and Princess Diana leave St. Paul's Cathedral following their wedding. (Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
The Prince and Princess of Wales return to Buckingham Palace by carriage after their wedding. She wears a wedding dress by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and the Spencer family tiara. (Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
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