Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Married 78 Years Ago. See Inside Their Special Day
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Married 78 Years Ago. See Inside Their Special Day
The royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten remains one of the most iconic events in British history, a moment Winston Churchill famously described as a flash of colour on the hard road of post-war Britain. Married on November 20, 1947, their union stood as a symbol of stability and devotion for over seven decades, marking the longest marriage of any British sovereign. As we look back 78 years later, the details of their special day at Westminster Abbey continue to captivate the public, from the ration-coupon wedding dress to the global broadcast that reached millions.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey in London. Their marriage lasted 73 years until Prince Philip's death in 2021. The ceremony was the first royal wedding to be broadcast live on the radio, reaching an estimated 200 million people worldwide, providing a much-needed morale boost for a nation still recovering from the effects of World War II.
The Origins of a Royal Romance
The love story of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, began long before they stood at the altar of Westminster Abbey. Their first meeting occurred in 1934 at the wedding of Philip's cousin, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, to Elizabeth's uncle, Prince George, Duke of Kent. At the time, Elizabeth was just eight years old and Philip was thirteen. It wasn't until five years later, during a royal visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in 1939, that the thirteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth was said to have become truly smitten with the eighteen-year-old naval cadet.
During the war years, Philip served with distinction in the British Royal Navy, but the pair maintained a steady correspondence. Their letters were a lifeline during the conflict, and as the war drew to a close, it became clear to those close to the family that their bond had deepened. In 1946, Philip asked King George VI for his daughter's hand in marriage. The King consented, though he requested that the official announcement be delayed until after Elizabeth's 21st birthday in April 1947. Their engagement was formally shared with the world on July 9, 1947.
The Path to Naturalization and New Titles
Before the wedding could take place, Philip, who was born a Prince of Greece and Denmark, had to navigate the complexities of his heritage in a post-war climate. To marry the heir to the British throne, he renounced his Greek and Danish titles and became a naturalized British subject. He adopted the surname Mountbatten from his maternal grandparents, a move that signaled his commitment to his new home and role.
On the eve of the wedding, King George VI bestowed upon him the style of His Royal Highness and the titles of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. These titles would define his public identity for the rest of his life. Despite the prestigious nature of the union, the royal family was mindful of the public mood; the UK was still under strict rationing, and the wedding was planned to be significant yet respectful of the economic hardships faced by the British people.
A Dress Bought with Ration Coupons
One of the most enduring stories from the wedding is that of Princess Elizabeth's bridal gown. Because the wedding took place only two years after the end of World War II, the future Queen had to use clothing ration coupons to pay for the material. The government allowed her an extra 200 coupons for the occasion, and hundreds of people from across the country reportedly sent her their own coupons to help, though these had to be returned as it was illegal to transfer them.
The dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, who took inspiration from Botticelli's painting Primavera, symbolizing rebirth and growth. Made of ivory silk and decorated with 10,000 seed pearls imported from the United States, the gown featured a 15-foot star-patterned train. The intricate embroidery included motifs of star lilies and orange blossoms, reflecting a message of hope for the future. On the morning of the wedding, a minor disaster struck when the Princess's tiara snapped, but the royal jeweler was rushed to the palace to repair it just in time for the ceremony.
The Ceremony at Westminster Abbey
At 11:30 AM on November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth arrived at Westminster Abbey in the Irish State Coach, accompanied by her father, King George VI. The Abbey was a significant choice, as it was the same location where her parents had been married in 1923. Elizabeth was the tenth member of the royal family to be married at the Abbey, continuing a tradition that dates back to the 12th century.
| Wedding Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | November 20, 1947, at 11:30 AM |
| Guest Count | 2,000 invited guests |
| Radio Audience | 200 million listeners worldwide |
| Wedding Cake Height | 9 feet tall, four tiers |
The service was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, and the Archbishop of York, Cyril Garbett. The music featured fanfares specially composed by Arnold Bax and the traditional "Wedding March" by Felix Mendelssohn. In a touch of personal significance, the hymns included "The Lord's my Shepherd," which was sung to the tune "Crimond," a melody that was relatively unknown in England at the time but favored by the royal family.
The Bridal Party and Distinguished Guests
Princess Elizabeth was attended by eight bridesmaids, including her sister, Princess Margaret, and several cousins. The party also included two page boys, Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent, who famously struggled with the long, heavy train of the wedding dress as they walked down the aisle. Philip's best man was his cousin, David Mountbatten, the Marquess of Milford Haven.
The guest list of 2,000 people was a gathering of global royalty and political leaders. Attendees included the King of Iraq, the hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands. Despite the grand scale, Philip's German relatives, including his three surviving sisters who had married German princes, were not invited due to the lingering tensions and sensitivities following the war. This decision reflected the delicate balance the monarchy had to maintain during the rebuilding of the nation.
The 10,000 Mile Wedding Cake
Following the ceremony, the newly married couple returned to Buckingham Palace for a wedding breakfast held in the Ball-Supper Room. The menu featured "Filet de Sole Mountbatten" and "Bombe Glacee Princess Elizabeth." However, the centerpiece of the celebration was undoubtedly the official wedding cake. Baked by McVitie & Price, the four-tiered fruitcake stood nine feet tall and weighed 500 pounds.
The cake earned the nickname "The 10,000 Mile Cake" because many of its ingredients, including dried fruit and sugar, were gifted from overseas, specifically from the Girl Guides in Australia, as such items were still strictly rationed in Britain. The cake was intricately decorated with the coats of arms of both families and scenes of the couple's favorite activities. Philip used his own ceremonial sword, a wedding gift from the King, to cut the first slice. Pieces of the cake were later distributed to various organizations and hospitals.
Gifts and Global Congratulations
The wedding of the future Queen captured the world's imagination, resulting in an outpouring of generosity. The couple received over 2,500 wedding gifts and approximately 10,000 telegrams of congratulations from around the globe. The gifts ranged from practical household items to extravagant jewels. Mahatma Gandhi even sent a piece of crocheted lace that he had spun himself, which was initially mistaken by Queen Mary for a loincloth.
The public's fascination was so great that the wedding gifts were put on display at St. James's Palace, where thousands of people queued to see them. This display served not only to showcase the global support for the couple but also to provide a sense of shared celebration for the British public. The revenue generated from the exhibition was donated to various charities, further cementing the wedding's role as a positive force for the community.
A Legacy of Seventy-Eight Years
As we mark 78 years since that historic day, the marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip is remembered as a cornerstone of the modern British monarchy. Their partnership survived the immense pressures of the Crown, the changing social landscape of the 20th century, and the personal trials of raising a family in the public eye. Philip remained Elizabeth's "strength and stay" throughout her long reign, providing a private foundation for her public duties.
Their honeymoon began at Broadlands in Hampshire, the home of Philip's uncle, Earl Mountbatten, before they traveled to Birkhall on the Balmoral estate. In letters to her parents during this time, Elizabeth spoke of their deep connection and happiness. This foundation supported them through the decades, from her accession to the throne in 1952 to their Platinum Wedding Anniversary in 2017. Today, their story continues to be a point of interest for historians and royal enthusiasts alike, serving as a testament to a lifelong commitment.
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Conclusion
The wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip was more than just a royal union; it was a pivotal moment of hope and celebration for a generation recovering from global conflict. Seventy-eight years later, the meticulous details of their day—the coupon-funded dress, the 500-pound cake, and the solemn vows exchanged in Westminster Abbey—serve as a reminder of the enduring nature of their partnership. Their legacy remains a central chapter in the history of the British Royal Family, illustrating a remarkable journey from a wartime romance to the longest sovereign marriage in history.
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