Celebrating a wedding anniversary is a wonderful occasion for anyone. But for Queen Elizabeth, this year's celebration is particularly momentous.
Over 60 years before Kate Middleton and Prince William tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony witnessed all around the world, people were coming out in droves to see Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip do the same.
The monarch and her husband married on November 20, 1947. At the time, the then-princess was only 21 years old, while her husband was a 26-year-old Royal Navy officer. To this day, the two are still happily married. That length of marriage is an achievement for any couple. But for Queen Elizabeth, it's actually historic.
The Queen is officially the longest married ruler in her country's history. According to the Washington Post, Queen Elizabeth is actually the first British monarch to celebrate a 70th wedding anniversary, or "Platinum Anniversary."
In honor of their 70th anniversary, we're taking a look back at the royal couple's big day.
Scroll through to read all about the Queen and Prince's wedding day, and don't forget to SHARE this story on Facebook!
Thumbnail Photo: Instagram / Royal Collection Trust // Getty Images / Tim Graham
[H/T: Royal Family]
1. The Wedding Dress Took 350 Women Seven Weeks To Make
Princess Elizabeth's wedding took place shortly after the end of World War II, which ravaged the country. For that reason, the elaborate ceremony was seen as a chance for rejuvenation and rebirth.
The royal's famously ornate wedding gown was stunning, and the amount of work that went into it reflected that. A group of 350 women took seven weeks to work on the design that was crafted by couturier Norman Hartnell and approved just three months before the ceremony. The Princess had to use 200 ration coupons to pay for the gown's material, because of post-war recovery efforts.
2. The Engagement Ring Was Made Using The Tiara Of Prince Philip's Mom
Prince Philip was not wealthy when he wooed Princess Elizabeth over 70 years ago. But when the time came for him to propose to her, Prince Philip's mom really came through for her son.
Princess Alice gave up her own tiara (gifted to her by the last Emperor and Empress of Russia for her own wedding) so that Philip could dismantle it and use the diamonds to create the perfect ring for his bride-to-be.
3. The Newlyweds Spent Their Wedding Night At The Former Home Of Prince Philip's Uncle
The royal newlyweds spent their wedding night at Broadlands in Hampshire, England, an estate once owned by Prince Philip's uncle, Earl Mountbatten.
To mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 2007, the Queen and Prince revisited Broadlands (as pictured above) to recreate their honeymoon images.
4. It Took Place Just Four Months After The Engagement Announcement
Elizabeth first met Philip in 1934, when she was only 8 years old. They met again several years later, and by age 13, the future Queen was totally infatuated with the handsome Royal Navy officer.
Through correspondence and occasional in-person contact, Philip courted the Princess once the two were older. He proposed in 1946 in Scotland, and Elizabeth immediately accepted — but her father, King George, insisted that the engagement announcement wait until the barely 20-year-old Princess was older.
The engagement was officially announced the following year, on July 9, 1947 — just over four months before the ceremony.
5. The Bride's Tiara Broke Right Before The Ceremony
In a near-disaster, a diamond-fringed tiara that was lent to Princess Elizabeth for her wedding day broke the morning of the ceremony.
The royal jeweler, House of Garrard, explained the unlucky occurrence to Marie Claire:
The Fringe Tiara was given to Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day, and the hairdresser broke it. On that day, they had it police escorted to the House of Garrard workshops. We fixed the tiara that morning, had it sent back to Queen Elizabeth, and then she got married in it. You don’t expect the royals to have those sorts of mix-ups, but they do!
6. Elizabeth's Train Was 15 Feet Long
As if the beading and decoration on the wedding gown wasn't elaborate enough, the train was also jaw-dropping in its length.
The dress had a full court train made of silk tulle, which was attached at the shoulders.
7. Not Everyone In The Royal Family Attended
The couple's wedding party was massive and included eight bridesmaids for Princess Elizabeth (among them her sister, Princess Margaret). But not everyone in the royal family was in attendance.
Elizabeth's uncle, the Duke of Windsor (formerly known as King Edward VIII) wasn't on the guest list. This was said to be largely due to his decision to abdicate and marry the twice-divorced American commoner, Wallis Simpson. Princess Mary, the sister of both the Duke of Windsor and Elizabeth's dad, also didn't attend, citing an illness (though some speculate it was in solidarity with her brother's exclusion).
8. Elizabeth Wore The Necklaces Of Two Prior Queens
Princess Elizabeth wore two pearl necklaces on her wedding day. The shorter necklace was called the "Queen Anne" necklace and was said to have belonged to Anne, the last Stuart queen.
The second, longer necklace is known as the "Queen Caroline." That string of pearls is said to have belonged to the wife of King George II.
Both necklaces were left to the Crown by Queen Victoria and later given to Elizabeth as wedding presents by her dad, King George VI.
9. It Was Broadcast To Millions Of Listeners
The wedding service was broadcast to 200 million listeners on the radio. But some weren't content to only listen in.
Much like the crowd on the day of Kate Middleton and Prince William's 2011 wedding, thousands of people gathered outside hoping to glimpse the royal newlyweds and give them well-wishes.
10. The Cake Was Nine Feet Tall
The above identical replica of the original wedding cake was commissioned in honor of the Queen's 70th wedding anniversary.
According to Daily Mail, the massive confection was created by patisserie chefs at Le Cordon Bleu, who spent months preparing the 500-pound cake. It took 700 eggs, almost four gallons of rum, 60 pounds of butter, 55 pounds of sugar, and 75 pounds of flour.
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