Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day.Getty

Queen Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten on Nov 20, 1947, just two years after the end of World War II.

Naturally, there weren't as many cameras back then, but there is some amazing footage of the day.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married at Westminster Abbey, and it was without question one of the biggest media frenzies the world had ever seen up to that point. 

Princess Elizabeth, elder daughter of King George VI and heir presumptive to the British throne, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a former Greek, and Denmark prince, were married at Westminster Abbey on Nov 20, 1947. Philip had been made Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich on the morning of the wedding.

Their wedding received unprecedented media coverage, and due to advancements in technology at the time surrounding cameras, much of the day was captured on camera.

Given that the country was just emerging from World War II, many political insiders took it upon themselves to warn King George VI that it was important for the morale of England that the young couple keep it simple. Two thousand guests were invited to the wedding ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries, politicians, and royals from around the world.

BBC Radio even broadcast the whole ceremony to 200 million people from around the world. There were several iconic images from the day, perhaps most notably that of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace waving to the adoring crowd.

As British Pathé puts it "Relive the Royal Wedding of 1947 between young Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. For more videos on Queen Elizabeth II, including more wedding festivities."

Have a look at the footage below, courtesy of British Pathé:

* Originally published in July 2019, updated in Nov 2023.