Before Kate and William, before Harry and Meghan, there was Elizabeth and Philip.
The late Queen Elizabeth (then Princess) married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, just three months after they announced their engagement. Their royal romance lasted a lifetime until Philip passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 99. She passed away one year later on September 8, 2022.
“She fell in love at 18 and didn’t look at anyone else,” Queen Elizabeth author Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE after Philip’s death.
The couple went on to have four children. Charles was born in 1948. Anne, born in 1950. Andrew born in 1960 and Edward born in 1964.
Almost 80 years after their lavish celebration, take a look at photos from when their 73-year bond was just beginning.
the bride is coming
Photo 12/Universal Images Group (via Getty)
Princess Elizabeth was all smiles in her wedding dress, complete with a tiara and veil.
Let’s go hand in hand
Bert Hardy/Photo Submission/Getty
To officially join the British royal family, the prince gave up his Danish and Greek royal titles and became a member of the Church of England.
down the aisle
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Mrs. Pamela Hicks, who served as a bridesmaid at the wedding, later said of the pair, “I don’t think there are very many couples that are as united as they are.”
give her flowers
Hulton Archive/Getty
Her wedding bouquet consisted of white orchids and traditional myrtle sprigs.
love look
Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
On their way to the altar, the couple exchanged looks of pure adoration.
the room where it happens
keystone/getty
The ceremony, held at Westminster Abbey in London, was attended by 2,500 guests.
family photo
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A large group of royals posed for a group portrait to celebrate the couple’s wedding.
royal greeting
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After the ceremony, they greeted the public from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
run towards the sunset
Photo 12/Universal Images Group (via Getty)
After the wedding, the newlyweds boarded a horse-drawn carriage for their honeymoon in Broadlands, Hampshire, England.
