It has been 44 years since Princess Diana and Prince Charles married at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981. At the time, Diana was just 20 years old, while Charles was 32. Their wedding was watched by an estimated 750 million people in 74 countries, making it one of the most viewed events in history.

Despite the grandeur, Diana made choices that quietly challenged long-standing royal traditions.

A nervous ceremony with memorable mistakes

Wedding day nerves were evident during the ceremony. Diana accidentally referred to her groom as “Philip Charles Arthur George” instead of “Charles Philip.” Charles also slipped up, saying “thy goods” instead of “my worldly goods.”

While these small mistakes became a talking point, they were quickly overshadowed by a far more significant break from tradition.

Refusing to promise obedience