It was a wedding that had caught the imagination of post-war Britain – the beautiful Princess Elizabeth marrying the dashing naval officer Prince Philip.
Earlier this summer memories of that day were recalled in "A Royal Wedding" – a special exhibition to mark the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
For the first time since the wedding day on 20 November 1947, the exhibition brought together the outfits of the main wedding party, including the magnificent wedding dress worn by Princess Elizabeth.
Designed by Norman Hartnell, the ivory silk-satin dress is encrusted with crystals and 10,000 seed pearls and has a 13ft foot train.
The Sun newspaper’s Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards has been photographing the Queen for thirty years.
He says the secret to their successful marriage is that Prince Philip is dominant in the relationship behind the scenes, but in public he steps back and lets his wife fulfil her role as head of state.
Edwards says they are the perfect formula, he is feisty and she patient with a good sense of humour.
According to figures from the UK national statistics in 1947, there were 6,0254 divorces in England and Wales and in 2005 that number had increased to 141,750 in England and Wales.
Several of the Queen’s own children have endured the pain of divorce.
Several passers by outside Buckingham Palace agree that the Queen belongs to a generation for whom marriage was for life.
The royal couple will attend a service at Westminster Abbey service today to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.
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