Charles and Diana's 'wedding of the century'

A woman holding a plate commemorating the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana mourns on August 31, 1997, in Paris after Diana's death in a car crash

Iconic moment: Charles, Prince of Wales, kisses his bride, Lady Diana Spencer on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 29, 1981, after their wedding

Their fairy-tale marriage 40 years ago this month was dubbed the "wedding of the century".

But for Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer it would all end in tears, recriminations and tragedy, with the after-effects still being felt by the British royals today. 

Here is an account of the wedding based on AFP reporting of the time.

The marriage of Charles, a bachelor of 32, and his 20-year-old blushing bride was a heady mix of "love and protocol", wrote AFP special correspondent Michel Leclercq on the day.

People around the globe watched from their armchairs as Lady Diana stepped out of the glass carriage which had brought her to St Paul's Cathedral.

- The dress -

"When she appeared wearing ivory, hidden under a multitude of pleats, frills, mother of pearl sequins and crinoline, a formidable roar rose from the crowd," AFP wrote.

- Nerves -

Under the dome of St Paul's and in thunderous silence, the future king's voice trembled as he murmured "I will".

"As she repeated the ritual wording Lady Diana betrayed nervousness and inverted the prince's names," AFP wrote.

Prince Charles then laid the gold ring on her left hand and at 12:20 pm precisely, AFP wrote: "Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer are married."

- Tears -

With Britain doing what its media commented it does best -- putting on a state occasion -- it was very much a British affair.

- 'Furtive kiss' -

The assembled crowds then cheered the famous kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

- Britain parties -

Hair salons were advertising the "Diana cut" and admirers bought commemorative mugs and plates bearing a photograph of the royal couple along with other royal gadgets.

- Fairy tale turns sour -

But it lasted less than five years during which an "heir and spare", princes William and Harry, were born.

The royal couple separated in 1992 followed by their divorce in 1996.

The queen, whose distance and reserve marked her out from her subjects, was accused of heartlessness.

While Diana would have become queen upon Charles' accession to the throne, Camilla will merely be queen consort.

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