Description:

Commemorative Plates and many other items commemorating the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 were produced in their thousands in 1981. These items were very collectible at the time as the whole country were so excited by the forthcoming wedding.

The front of the plate shows a picture of the couple when they announced their engagement,  with the wording ‘HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer to Commemorate Their Marriage’ surrounding the image.

This is repeated on the reverse of the plate along with the manufacturers name ‘Myott-Meakin England. There were many different items and manufacturers of the memorabilia produced at the time and these are still very desirable for collectors of Royal Memorabilia.

The marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales took place on 29 July 1981, marking a new era in the popularity of the Royal Family. It was seen by a global television audience of 750 million in 74 countries. The marriage of Prince Charles to Princess Diana cost an overall  estimated £36,095,760.00 with an estimated £45,1197 spent on security alone.

Their kiss on the balcony launched a tradition which has since been emulated by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

As Prince Charles is heir to the British throne, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were wed on July 29, 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Diana had five bridesmaids: Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, India Hicks, Catherine Cameron, Sarah-Jane Gaselee and Clementine Hambro.

Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were Prince Charles’ Supporters, a royal custom instead of a Best Man.

The bride wore a Victorian dress that featured layers of silk taffeta, puffy sleeves and a 25-foot train. It was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.

Music and songs used during the wedding ceremony included the “Prince of Denmark’s March”, “I Vow to Thee, My Country”, “Pomp and Circumstance No. 4” and the British National Anthem (“God Save the Queen”). New Zealand soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa sang “Let The Bright Seraphim” from G. F. Handel’s Samson.

The reception was held at Buckingham Place. The couple had 27 cakes with an official wedding cake that was a five-foot-tall layered fruitcake, according to Vanity Fair.

Once Diana married Prince Charles, her formal title became Her Royal Highness (HRH) Diana, Princess of Wales. Charles was the Prince of Wales, and the two went on to have two children, Prince William and Prince Harry.11 Aug 2019. Sadly they divorced a few years later.

 

Key theme(s):

Celebrations

More information:

Date 1980s
Material(s) China
Item number MBPO131

Questions to help you remember using this item

  • What items commemorating the Royal Wedding do you have?
  • Who did you watch the wedding with – which friends and family?
  • What do you remember about Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s Royal Wedding day?
  • What did her dress look like?

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