Long before millions tuned in on July 29, 1981, to watch what was billed as a fairytale ceremony, Princess Diana and Prince Charles were already doing things differently.
While royal weddings had been bound by strict centuries-old protocol, the young couple made a series of bold, unprecedented choices that caught royal watchers completely off guard. Before they even said "I do," their decisions set a brand-new precedent for future generations of the royal family.
In February, 1981, Charles asked Diana to marry him. Royal tradition dictated that an engagement ring for a future queen should be custom-made to guarantee its uniqueness.
Instead, 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer selected her 12-carat oval sapphire ring directly from the Garrard catalog. Because the piece was available for public purchase, anyone with $60,000 could buy the same ring, raising eyebrows among older members of the royal family, who felt a queen's jewelry should be strictly exclusive.
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In July, the couple married at St. Paul’s Cathedral instead of adhering to royal tradition and choosing Westminster Abbey. Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, married Prince Philip there in 1947.
However, while it appeared that Charles and Diana were trying to be unique, the choice of the cathedral came down to more seating for the event's 3,500 guests. Westminster Abbey only had seating for 2,000 reported PEOPLE Magazine.
Yet the most talked-about break from tradition happened right at the altar. According to The New York Times, Diana requested a specific change to the traditional Church of England vows. She chose to omit the vow to "obey" her husband, agreeing instead to "love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health."
This decision was fully supported by Prince Charles. The Times reported the couple had "very serious" discussions about the change before moving forward.
Additionally, the couple's wedding breakfast was intimate, in stark contrast to their massive guest list at their ceremony. Only 120 guests were invited to the formal Buckingham Palace event, reported Tatler. The couple did not have an evening reception, but in later years, the couple's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, did enjoy a nighttime celebration.
When the couple finally left the palace for their honeymoon, they left behind a completely updated blueprint for future royal weddings. Prince Charles and Princess Diana proved that rules weren't set in stone and that a traditional royal wedding could actually reflect the couple at its center.
Related: 45 Years Later, the Details of Princess Diana's Wedding Breakfast Are Still Mind-Boggling
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