The BBC released film of the ceremony itself on The Royal Wedding videotape, though at that time most copies would have been sold to video stores since videos were not yet popularly priced for home purchase. Royal Wedding Bells was released in 2000 and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics of putting the wedding together by interviewing people who were involved in the making of the dress and cake, the make-up artist, the riders in the procession, and many others.  Other audiovisual formats included  film for home movie projectors, slide and audiotape sets, and 3-D stereoptican viewmaster reels.

The BBC also released a recording of the ceremony in one and two LP sets. The Royal Wedding  contains one LP of the ceremony alone, while The Royal Tribute is the two LP set with the ceremony and “a stirring collection of Great British music befitting a royal occasion of such historic importance”. (The music was also released as a separate album titled The Royal Romance.) From an aesthetic standpoint, probably the most satisfying recording is the collection of Madrigals and Wedding Songs for Diana, which was “Specially Issued to Celebrate the Royal Wedding of HRH The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer  in St. Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981”.

Two novelty items aimed at the souvenir market is the 45 single by Heros and Angels with a picture of Charles and Diana on one side for the song “Hey Diana/The Wedding Song” and the British flag on the other side for “Together Today”. The other recording, The Royal Romance: HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer Recorded at Buckingham Palace, has a great deal of historical significance since it is a recording of their engagement day interview in which Prince Charles replied, “Whatever love is”, when the couple was asked if they were in love. At the time, it was thought to be a joke, but in retrospect, it should have been an alarm bell.

Go back to Books and Souvenir Booklets
Go forward to China and Tins
Return to Royal Wedding Exhibition