The rehearsals behind the royal weddings: From Charles and Diana’s run-throughs at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1981 to Kate’s practice with William at Westminster Abbey in 2011

Royal weddings have captivated the general public creativeness for hundreds of years.

As a living proof, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011 was watched by a file two billion folks worldwide.

However a major quantity of preparation was devoted to make sure every little thing ran seamlessly, from the vows to the navy procession.

Like many different {couples}, William and Kate attended a number of rehearsals earlier than their momentous marriage ceremony day. 

Right here, we delve into the detailed preparations that went into their nuptials and people of different royal relations through the years. 

Prince Charles and Girl Diana Spencer

Prince Charles and Girl Diana Spencer attended a number of rehearsals forward of their ‘fairytale marriage ceremony’ at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 28, 1981.

The couple’s first run-through befell on June 12, with a last hour-long rehearsal two nights earlier than the large day. 

Afterwards, Queen Elizabeth II hosted a grand gala ball at Buckingham Palace for 1,400 company, adopted by an intimate dinner for 90.

Diana additionally had a rehearsal together with her bridesmaids and web page boys at St Paul’s on July 22. 

Attendees included Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Kent and Diana’s estranged mother and father, Frances Shand-Kydd and Earl Spencer. 

The bridesmaids included India Hicks, who was then 13, and Winston Churchill’s great-granddaughter Clementine Hambro. 

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten

It was the marriage of the century, when the longer term Queen tied the knot with the person who could be by her facet for greater than 70 years. 

On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten – as he was then – inside Westminster Abbey.

And, as you possibly can think about, an unlimited quantity of preparation went right into a ceremony that boasted a 2,000-strong visitor listing and which was listened 

The ultimate rehearsal befell on November 19, with all the royals current.

The important thing individuals rehearsed the large procession from the Abbey’s Nice West Door – the place Elizabeth would enter the next day together with her father George VI at her facet.

The bride and groom had been additionally proven their locations on the step’s of the Abbey’s Sanctuary and proven when to make their responses and when to kneel for the Blessing.

The Each day Mail reported on the time: ‘Nearly each step within the Princess’s glittering course from the Nice West Door to the Sanctuary and Excessive Altar will probably be timed.’

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton confirmed no signal of nerves through the last rehearsal earlier than her marriage ceremony to Prince William in 2011.

The bride-to-be beamed as she arrived at Westminster Abbey alongside Prince Harry, her mother and father, pageboys and bridesmaids. 

Following the rehearsal, Kate spent the evening on the Goring Lodge in Belgravia together with her mom Carole and sister Pippa.

Full particulars of the ceremony had been launched the identical day, accompanied by a message from William and Kate thanking the general public for its help.  

The message learn: ‘We’re each so delighted that you’ll be able to be part of us in celebrating what we hope will probably be one of many happiest days of our lives.

‘The love proven to us by so many individuals throughout our engagement has been extremely transferring, and has touched us each deeply.

‘We want to take this chance to thank everybody most sincerely for his or her kindness.’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

On Might 19, 2018, the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle befell at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Fort. 

Two days prior, the bride and groom rehearsed their strains behind closed doorways, whereas the navy carried out their preparations within the city.

Meghan opted for a white pussybow shirt and denims, styling her raven tresses in a half up-half down vogue, whereas Harry wore a shirt and jumper.

1000’s of well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the preparations for the large day. 

Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon

Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones had been pictured smiling from ear-to-ear as they arrived at their marriage ceremony rehearsal at Westminster Abbey in Might 1960. 

The detailed observe included a full choir, whereas horse guards rehearsed the procession with carriages exterior.

It was the primary royal marriage ceremony to be broadcast on tv and had an estimated 300 million viewers from across the globe. 

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall 

Zara Phillips married rugby star Mike Tindall on July 30, 2011, at Canongate Kirk, a historic church on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

The day earlier than, the couple, dressed casually in denims, attended a run-through with their households. 

They arrived in a chauffeur-driven Jaguar and had been greeted by cheering crowds. 

Zara’s brother, Peter Phillips, her father, Captain Mark Phillips, and his second spouse, Sandy Pflueger, joined them. 

All through the day, workmen had been busy across the seventeenth century church, usually seen with filming tools.

In the meantime, law enforcement officials monitored the realm, overseeing photographers and journalists stationed exterior the gates. 

Princess Alexandra of Kent and Angus Ogilvy

Princess Alexandra of Kent married Angus Ogilvy, son of the twelfth Earl of Airlie, at Westminster Abbey, on April 24, 1963.

Two days earlier than the marriage, Queen Elizabeth hosted a white-tie ball at Windsor Fort for two,000 company.

On the occasion, Alexandra debuted a glittering tiara, gifted from her fiancé. 

Following their engagement, Angus had commissioned Collingwood to create a parure comprising a tiara, necklace and two pairs of earrings, utilizing diamond-encrusted flowers that Alexandra wore throughout her youth.

The day earlier than their nuptials, Alexandra and Angus attended a proper rehearsal on the Abbey, together with household and associates.