On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen of England, married Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in London. This wasn’t just any royal wedding. It happened only two years after the end of World War II. Britain was still recovering. People faced rationing, and the country was working to rebuild itself.
Princess Elizabeth was the elder daughter of King George VI. She was expected to become queen one day. Prince Philip was born into Greek and Danish royal families. He had served in the Royal Navy during the war. Before the wedding, he gave up his foreign titles. He became a British citizen and took the name Philip Mountbatten.
The Preparations
Planning a big, royal wedding during a time of rationing was a challenge. Elizabeth used ration coupons to buy the material for her dress. The government gave her 200 extra coupons as a gift. Norman Hartnell, a famous British designer, created the dress. It was made of ivory silk and decorated with thousands of pearls and crystals.
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The wedding cake stood nine feet tall. It had four layers, showing detailed scenes. Because ingredients were scarce, some were sent from overseas as wedding gifts. A piece of the cake was even sent back to Australia as a thank you.
The Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was a grand affair. Kings, queens, and other important people from around the world attended. The service was broadcast on the radio. Millions of people listened in, both in Britain and abroad.
Eight bridesmaids accompanied Princess Elizabeth. They included her younger sister, Princess Margaret. Prince Philip’s best man was his cousin, David Mountbatten.
The dress had a fitted bodice and a full skirt. The design included symbolic flower patterns. These represented the different countries of the United Kingdom. The long train, inspired by a painting by Botticelli, extended for over four meters.
The public celebrated the wedding. Crowds gathered in London to see the couple. People lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal carriage. It was seen as a moment of joy and celebration. Many felt it was uplifting during difficult times.
Newspapers and magazines all over the world covered this wedding. Photos were published in countless numbers.
Elizabeth’s wedding ring followed a royal tradition. It’s made from Welsh gold. This gold comes from a specific mine in Wales. Philip designed Elizabeth’s engagement ring himself, with diamonds taken from a tiara that belonged to his mother.
#1 Britain’s Princess Elizabeth and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are seen leaving Westminster Abbey, London, on Nov. 20, 1947, following their wedding service.
#2 People lined up to sleep outside Westminster Abbey, London before the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on Nov. 19, 1947.
#3 A general view of the dense crowd massed in Trafalgar Square, London on Nov. 20, 1947,
#4 The glass coach, containing the royal newly-weds, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by an escort of the Household Cavalry, is seen coming up Whitehall towards Admiralty Arch on their way back to Buckingham Palace after their marriage at Westminster Abbey, London on Nov. 20, 1947.
#5 The royal newly-weds, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, acknowledge the cheers of the crowd as they drove from Buckingham Palace to Waterloo Station in London on Nov. 20, 1947.
#6 The bridal procession, with the sovereign’s escort of Household Cavalry, is seen leaving Buckingham Palace in London for Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947.
#7 Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, in this Nov. 20, 1947 photo, after their wedding.
#8 A billowing flag, part of the decorations on Admiralty Arch, frames the royal bridal procession as it passes down the mall on the way to Westminster Abbey in London.
In the foreground is the Irish Coach, containing the bride British Princess Elizabeth and her father, King George VI, followed by the sovereign's escort of the household cavalry, on its way to the Abbey November 20, 1947, for the upcoming marriage of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten (Duke of Edinburgh).
#9 H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh pose with Royal guests at Buckingham Palace in London, England, after their wedding on Nov. 20, 1947.
The three boys in front, from left to right are: Prince William of Gloucestershire, Prince Michael of Kent, both pageboys, and Prince Richard of Gloucestershire. First row, from left to right, commencing third person: Princess Margaret, The Marquess of Milford Haven- the best man, the bride and bridegroom, Princess Alexandra of Kent- bridesmaid, King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Gloucestershire, the Duchess of Gloucestershire. Woman seated and woman standing behind are unidentified, Crown Prince Gustav Adolf of Sweden at far right, wearing spectacles. Second row, from left to right, commencing third person: Countess Mountbatten, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Juliana- regent of Netherlands, Queen Frederika of the Hellenes, Queen Mary, ex-Queen Ena of Spain, Queen Ingrid of Denmark, Queen Frederika of Norway, remainder unidentified. Third row, from left to right, ex-King Peter of Yugoslavia, Earl Mountbatten, Prince Bernhard of Netherlands, King Haakon of Norway, Prince George of Greece, unidentified person, King Frederik of Denmark, King Michael of Romania, remainder unidentified.
#10 In this Nov. 20, 1947 file photo, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, places the ring on the finger of his bride, Princess Elizabeth, during their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London. At bride’s left is King George VI.
At Philip's right is his best man, Marquis of Milford Haven. At extreme left on altar is the Earl of Mountbatten, Philip's uncle. Standing by unoccupied chair at right side of altar is Queen Elizabeth. Next to her is the Queen Mother Mary. Clarence House in London announced Tuesday Nov. 23, 2010, that Prince William will marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011
#11 Britain’s Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, London, on Nov. 20, 1947, after their wedding service.
#12 Britain’s Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh kneel before the altar as they are blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, following their wedding service in Westminster Abbey, London, on Nov. 20, 1947.
#13 Huddled together on the pavement, opposite Westminster Abbey, London on Nov. 20, 1947, these people made sure of their positions for the Royal procession for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
#14 This is the first image of the royal newly-weds H.RH. British Princess Elizabeth – Duchess of Edinburgh, and H.RH. Prince Philip – Duke of Edinburgh
This was captured in the grounds of Broadlands (the home of Earl Mountbatten, governer-general of India), at Ramsey, Hampshire, where they are spending their honeymoon, November 23, 1947. The royal couple are looking at photographs of their wedding which was held at Westminster Abbey, November 20, 1947.
