It has been 44 years since Princess Diana and Prince Charles married at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981. At the time, Diana was just 20 years old, while Charles was 32. Their wedding was watched by an estimated 750 million people in 74 countries, making it one of the most viewed events in history.
Despite the grandeur, Diana made choices that quietly challenged long-standing royal traditions.
A nervous ceremony with memorable mistakes
Wedding day nerves were evident during the ceremony. Diana accidentally referred to her groom as “Philip Charles Arthur George” instead of “Charles Philip.” Charles also slipped up, saying “thy goods” instead of “my worldly goods.”
While these small mistakes became a talking point, they were quickly overshadowed by a far more significant break from tradition.
Refusing to promise obedience
For generations, royal brides vowed to “obey” their husbands during the wedding ceremony. Diana refused to include this word in her vows, instead promising to “love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health.”
According to The New York Times, both Diana and Charles had serious discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury before deciding to omit the word. They wanted to reflect the wording used by modern English couples and support a more equal view of marriage.
Dr. Edward Carpenter, then Dean of Westminster Abbey, said he was “absolutely delighted” by their choice, calling it “much more Christian” and a reflection of marriage as a partnership of equals.
A glimpse into her feelings after the wedding
Two days after the ceremony, Diana wrote a heartfelt letter to Mark Simpson, a footman at Buckingham Palace. Dated July 31, she thanked him for his kindness, writing that his company had made her stay at the palace less lonely.
Her words revealed the mix of isolation and warmth she experienced during this life-changing moment.
Princess Diana’s wedding may have looked like a fairy tale, but her decision to leave out a single word showed a quiet strength that would come to define her legacy.
