The Royal Wedding brought out international news cameras, reporters from every corner of the globe, and a crowd in London that numbered above half a million taking advantage of a holiday called specifically for the occasion. They were joined by an international television audience of nearly 750 million, the largest one ever. But they weren’t all gathered to see Prince William marry Kate Middleton — this royal wedding took place 30 years prior.

On this day, July 29, in 1981 Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer — the scion of the royal family and the daughter of one of the oldest and most noble ones — married in a grand ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Soon-to-be-Princess Diana made the three-and-a-half minute walk up the red-carpeted aisle dressed in an antique lace gown with a sumptuous 25 ft train, designed by the Welsh fashion icon David Emanuel. Prince Charles appeared in the full naval commander regalia.