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Exhibition

A Royal Wedding

Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving for Waterloo Station at the start of their honeymoon
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving for Waterloo Station at the start of their honeymoon ©

Buckingham Palace

  • Daily (Saturday, 30 Jun 2007 - Monday, 1 Oct 2007)

This exhibition marked the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of The Queen and Prince Philip and looks back to 20 November 1947, when the nation rejoiced in the happiness of the future Queen and her consort.

In post-War Britain, with food and clothing rationing still in force, every aspect of the wedding preparations was eagerly followed at home and abroad. Thousands of people lined the processional route and millions listened to the live radio broadcast. 10,000 telegrams of congratulation were received at Buckingham Palace from around the world and over 200,000 people saw the special exhibition of wedding presents at St James's Palace. The Queen's wedding dress toured the country and the film of the wedding was watched by many thousands of people at cinemas across the country.

An aerial photograph of the scene outside Buckingham Palace on the wedding day of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. Huge crowds all around the Queen Victoria Memorial and up the Mall.

The Royal Wedding, 1947 ©

Explore the exhibition further

Negative of HRH Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926) meeting HRH Prince Philip (b. 1921) within the garden of the Captain's House, Dartmouth. Prince Philip wears Naval Lieutenant's uniform. Wall in foreground and harbour in the backgroun
The Engagement

Photograph showing the floral decorations placed on Princess Elizabeth's breakfast table at Buckingham Palace designed by Edward Goodyear to celebrate the Princess's wedding to Prince Philip, November 1947.
The Wedding Breakfast

Wedding gown of the then Princess Elizabeth; rich ivory duchesse satin contrasting with the white seed pearls, imported from America, silver thread, sparkling crystal and transparent appliqué tulle embroidery. Attached at the shoulders was a magnificent
The Wedding Dress

The wedding dress worn by The Queen
The Wedding

Gifts

Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving for Waterloo Station at the start of their honeymoon
The Honeymoon

Explore the exhibition

Map & directions

Visitor entrance (Gate C) is on the south side of the Palace, Buckingham Gate, London, SW1A 1AA
 DIRECTIONS VIA GOOGLE MAPS
By train

London Victoria or London Charing Cross.  Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.

By underground

Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park and Hyde Park Corner.  For further information visit the Transport for London website.

By coach / bus

Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.  Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.

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Official Royal Residences

The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.