Princess Diana made several subtle nods to her loved ones on her wedding day with King Charles, but there was one item that was missing from her outfit.
The People's Princess, as she was affectionately named, walked down the aisle at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July 1981 wearing a heavily embellished wedding dress with a record-breaking 25-foot train designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel. She teamed it with the Spencer Tiara, a family heirloom, low-heeled silk satin pumps customised with the letters C and D, and her sapphire and diamond engagement ring from Garrard.
Following royal tradition, Diana added a Welsh gold wedding ring to her finger from Clogau, but there was another special ring she chose not to wear.
The night before the couple got married, Charles reportedly sent Diana a heartfelt gift – a signet ring engraved with the official crest of the Prince of Wales, which is the same one he wears daily.
© Getty ImagesAccording to Andrew Morton's book, Diana: In Her Own Words, Diana reportedly said: "He sent me a very nice signet ring the night before to Clarence House, with the Prince of Wales feathers on and a very nice card that said: 'I'm so proud of you and when you come up I'll be there at the altar for you tomorrow. Just look 'em in the eye and knock 'em dead.'"
While she chose to leave her new ring in her jewellery box the following day, Diana was later spotted wearing it at a private photoshoot at her home Kensington Palace in 1983 and a polo match in 1988.
King Charles and Princess Diana's big day
© Getty ImagesThough they had only met 13 times before announcing their engagement in February 1981, the wedding of Prince Charles and 19-year-old Diana Spencer was hailed as the "wedding of the century."
The marriage made history, marking the first time in 300 years that a British citizen married an heir to the throne. Both recalled the day as deeply moving; Charles remembered being overwhelmed with joy, while Diana described the event as amazing and heavenly, despite battling severe nerves as she walked down the aisle.
"There were several times when I was perilously close to crying from the sheer joy of it all," the monarch reportedly told a friend Meanwhile, Diana said: "It was heaven, amazing, wonderful, though I was so nervous when I was walking up the aisle that I swore my knees would knock and make a noise."
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetIt wasn't to last, however, as the pair announced their divorce in December 1992 with an official statement. "The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, though saddened, understand and sympathise with the difficulties that have led to this decision," Buckingham Palace said.
"The fact is that, with great sadness, they have recognised that their continuing relationship would be better under separate domestic arrangements.They are still fond of one another and fully supportive of one another's intentions to fulfil their individual public duties as wholeheartedly as before."
Charles' ring
© GettyKing Charles has rarely been spotted without his signet ring, which was reportedly given to him by his late mother Queen Elizabeth II when he took on the title of Prince of Wales. As well as featuring a crown with feather, it is also engraved with the phrase "ich dien" which means "I serve."
It is similar to the one now worn by Charles' second wife Queen Camilla - whom he married in 2005 - as well as other royals such as Prince Edward, Duchess Sophie and, most recently, the Duchess of Sussex.
© Getty ImagesSignet rings are not just a symbol of status, but also a nod to a person's family thanks to the personalised crests. Traditionally, they functioned as a wax signature for important documents. Now, they are a stylish jewellery choice often worn by men and women on the little finger of the non-dominant hand.
