The wedding of the century seen in a new light: Footage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s big day is beautifully restored in new BritBox documentary marking the 40th anniversary
- The new feature-length programme will air on BritBox on Thursday July 15
- It will show never-before-heard anecdotes and interviews from key insiders
- Record-breaking event was watched by 750million people in 74 countries in 1981
It’s been 40 years since Princess Diana walked down the aisle to Prince Charles, and to mark the occasion BritBox has released a new documentary showcasing restored footage from the big day.
The BBC and ITV streaming service has ‘lovingly’ retouched the filming of the ceremony ‘to a much clearer version than was ever thought possible’, an announcement about the film said.
The Wedding of the Century, which airs today, also includes never-before-heard anecdotes about the London-based ceremony, which was watched by a record 750million people in 74 countries in 1981.
A highlight of the upgraded footage, which has been restored in high definition, is the ability to see more details, down to the creases, in the Princess of Wales’ iconic gown as she steps out of the royal carriage.
To mark 40 years since Princess Diana and Prince Charles wed, BritBox has released a new documentary showcasing restored footage from the big day
Footage from the big day has been ‘lovingly’ retouched ‘to a much clearer version than was ever thought possible’, an announcement about the film said
The documentary is narrated by Angela Rippon and includes exclusive interviews with those who worked behind the scenes and planned the record-breaking event.
Charles and Diana wed on 29 July 1981 at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, with 3,500 guests making up the congregation.
These included the chief royal florist, David Longman, who met with Diana to create a bouquet fit for a princess, while musical director Barry Rose, who conducted the choir inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, also speaks about the big day.
Other interviews are from Royal Navy head baker Dave Avery who met with Diana before spending 14 weeks creating the wedding cake.
The Wedding of the Century, which airs today, also includes never-before-heard anecdotes from the day. Pictured, Diana in her wedding dress
The fairy tale wedding (pictured) was watched by a record 750million people in 74 countries across the world in 1981
Royal photographer Kent Gavin, who captured the ceremony inside St. Paul’s and whom Diana later chose to photograph Prince William’s christening, also tells of the ceremony.
In the trailer for the Touchdown Films documentary, it tells the story of a day that ‘enchanted the world’ and shows the royal family leaving Buckingham Palace as the streets were lined with fans.
Elsewhere, one guest speaks about the concerns some behind-the-scenes had, such as what would happen if someone needed to use the toilet during the ceremony.
A highlight of the upgraded footage (pictured), which has been restored in high definition, is the ability to see more details, down to the creases, in the Princess of Wales’ iconic gown
Charles and Diana (pictured) wed on 29 July 1981 at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, with 3,500 guests making up the congregation
The documentary includes exclusive interviews with those who worked behind the scenes and planned the record-breaking event. Pictured, Diana and Charles
Touchdown Films founder John Osborne said: ‘We are delighted to be working with BritBox on this new feature-length documentary that reframes one of the most iconic days in history like never before.’
While Diana and Charles’ wedding appeared to be a fairy tale, in 1992, Prime Minster John Major announced the couple were to separate, but continue living together at Kensington Palace.
They divorced in 1996 and a year later Diana died in car crash in Paris. In 2005 Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles at Windsor Guildhall.
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