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.
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 fitted 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 flouncing were wonderfully romantic. It was the perfect dress for a fairytale princess.
How could it be otherwise? This was a wedding to which everyone brought so much goodwill, which glossed over old hurts, and set a golden path for the Prince and Princess, whose life together started with joyful harmony.
Denne historien er fra June 2018-utgaven av The Australian Women's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2018-utgaven av The Australian Women's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Maggie's kitchen
Maggie Beer's delicious veg patties - perfect for lunch, dinner or a snack - plus a simple nostalgic pudding with fresh passionfruit.
Reclaim your brain
Attention span short? Thoughts foggy? Memory full of gaps? Brigid Moss investigates the latest ways to sharpen your thinking.
The girls from Oz
Melbourne music teacher Judith Curphey challenged the patriarchy when she started Australia's first all-girls choir. Forty years later that bold vision has 6500 members, life-changing programs and a new branch of the sisterhood in Singapore.
One kid can change the world
In 2018, 10-year-old Jack Berne started A Fiver for a Farmer to raise funds for drought relief. He and mum Prue share what happened next.
AFTER THE WAVE
Twenty years ago, the Boxing Day tsunami tore across the Indian Ocean, shredding towns, villages and holiday resorts, and killing hundreds of thousands of people from Indonesia to Africa. Three Australians share their memories of terror, loss and survival with The Weekly.
PATRICIA KARVELAS How childhood tragedy shaped me
Patricia Karvelas hustled hard to chase her dreams, but it wasn't easy. In a deeply personal interview, the ABC host talks about family loss, finding love, battles fought and motherhood.
Ripe for the picking
Buy a kilo or two of fresh Australian apricots because they're at their peak sweetness now and take inspiration from our lush recipe ideas that showcase this divine stone fruit.
Your stars for 2025
The Weekly’s astrologer, Lilith Rocha, reveals what’s in store for your astrological sign in 2025. For your monthly horoscope, turn to page 192.
MEL SCHILLING Cancer made me look at myself differently'
One year on from going public with her bowel cancer diagnosis, Mel Schilling reveals where she's at with her health journey and how it's changed her irrevocably.
Nothing like this Dame Judi
A few weeks before her 90th birthday, the acting legend jumped on a phone call with The Weekly to talk about her extraordinary life – and what’s still to come.
