Impressively large collection of material related to the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, including:
An official gilt-edged invitation to “the Marriage of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales with The Lady Diana Spencer in St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, 29th July, 1981 at 11.00 a.m.,” as requested by “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh,” with accompanying original mailing envelope.
Set of three official 18-page service programs for the “Marriage of Charles Prince of Wales with the Lady Diana Spencer.”
Two copies of a TLS from Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace letterhead, dated July 30, 1981, addressed to Lord Chamberlain and thanking him for “the splendid way in which the arrangements were made for the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales,” with one accompanied by a transmittal letter from Lord Chamberlain’s office and a typed caption headed “The Present,” which reads: “ A George III period mahogany pembroke table; the bow fronted top with D-shaped flaps veneered with well figured mahogany and cross banded with burr yew-wood. There is a single drawer to the frieze with lacquered brass handles. The table is raised on four tapering reeded legs. English. Circa 1795.”
A Royal Court telegram from Charles and Diana to Lord Chamberlain, stamp-dated July 29, 1981, asking him to extend their thanks “to all those in your office concerned in today’s ceremony.”
A Royal ‘crown’ vehicle pass and a “Duty” vehicle pass for entrance to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
A copy of an ALS from Charles to Patricia Simmonds (and one other), two pages, May 24, 1981, in part: “I hear you are both having a terrible time trying to cope with ghastly lists for the wedding and for the seating plans etc. I sympathize with you enormously and must apologize wholeheartedly to you if my frequent additions, deletions & so on only serve to confuse the careful planning…This is just to send you both my gratitude for all your hard work & to say that the agony won’t last much longer—maybe a quick trip to Gretna Green would solve a lot of people’s problems!”
A copy of an ALS from Charles, one page, both sides, July 28, 1981, conveying his and Diana’s “warmest and most appreciative thanks to all the members of Her Majesty’s household for that magnificent table you have given us. Diana and I are touched beyond words.”
A large packet from Lord Chamberlain’s Office containing an alphabetized guest list for the “Marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Lady Diana Spencer,” with names distinguished by category and seat number, held together by a metal treasury tag.
An official 33-page “Ceremonial” program for the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, printed by Harrison & Sons of London.
A 7-page packet containing a detailed floor plan and “Dome North” and “South Block” guest lists for the “Marriage Service, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 29th July 1981,” held together by a metal treasury tag.
A 2-page stapled RSVP category packet for the marriage ceremony, which includes: “1. Royal Family, 2. Queen’s Family, 3. Duke of Edinburgh’s Family, 4. European Sovereigns, 5. European Royal Families, 6. Other Reigning Royals, 7. Suites, 8. Bride’s Family, 9. Governors General, 10. Heads of E.E.C. Countries,” and more.
A 13-page stapled packet marked “Instructions or Ushers,” with sections marked “General,” “Duties of Ushers,” “The Service,” and “Dispersal,” with appendices featuring a St. Paul’s Cathedral floor plan, a plan for “Allocation of Ushers,” and a time schedule of events.
A pair of red and blue “Duty” passes for the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, issued to “Mrs. Patricia Simmonds” for “Entrance by North Crypt Door,” with one valid from July 26 to July 28, 1981, and the other valid for the wedding date of July 29, 1981.
A copy of a handwritten note from the White House, addressed to Lord Chamberlain and affirming that “Mrs. Reagan has the honor to accept the kind invitation of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to the marriage of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to The Lady Diana Spencer…The President regrettably will be unable to accept.” In overall fine condition.
Also included are four items related to the funeral of Princess Diana on September 6, 1997: an official 15-page service program; a typed note from Buckingham Palace, September 8, 1997, conveying thanks "To Everyone Who Works For The Royal Family"; and a green "Westminster Abbey Funeral" pass for "North Transept." Accompanied by a "Duty Pass" for the Golden Wedding anniversary of The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1997.
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