The marriage of Charles and Diana, (later the Prince and Princess of Wales), took place on 29 July 1981, marking a highpoint in the popularity of the Royal Family. It was seen by a global television audience of 750 million in 74 countries. In Britain, where a public holiday had been declared, 28.4 million watched on BBC and ITV - the majority on the BBC - while 600,000 lined the streets of London.
The BBC pulled out all the stops to ensure the widest possible audience on the day. Television coverage of the 11am ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral began at 7.45am, presented by Angela Rippon and Peter Woods. Commentary on the carriage processions and marriage service was given by Tom Fleming. Simultaneous coverage on BBC Two provided live subtitles for hearing impaired viewers, the first big outing for the Palantype system. Radio coverage was also extensive, with commentators as varied as Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and Rolf Harris along the processional route, and Terry Wogan on Radio 2, capturing the mood on the streets.
The Royal Wedding remains one of the most watched programmes, and the BBC the broadcaster most trusted for such events. In 2011 the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (later the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) again proved very popular, and the BBC's coverage attracted 70% of the audience.
July anniversaries
Investiture of the Prince of Wales 1 July 1969
Masterchef2 July 1990
BBC Television News and Newsreel5 July 1954
To the Ends of the Earth6 July 2005
Hancock's Half Hour television show6 July 1956
London Calling Europe began 6 July 1941
The Old Man of Hoy 8 July 1967
The first episode of The Office 9 July 2001
Andy Pandy 11 July 1950
It's That Man Again12 July 1939
Watchdog 14 July 1985
What's My Line 16 July 1951
Toytown first transmitted 19 July 1929
Pot Black first transmitted 23 July 1969
Countryfile first broadcast24 July 1988
Start of the Light Programme 29 July 1945
Olympic Games from Wembley first televised 29 July 1948
The World Cup Final 30 July 1966
Dad's Army 31 July 1968
