The Prince and Princess of Wales are celebrating their wedding anniversary this year by taking a moment to look back.
Earlier today, the couple released a never-before-seen photograph from their April 29, 2011 wedding. The formal portrait, taken by Millie Pilkington, shows Kate Middleton and Prince William embracing in Buckingham Palace, following their ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The then-Duchess of Cambridge is wearing her Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen wedding dress as well as the Cartier Halo Tiara. (The diamond diadem was lent to her by the Queen.) In her hands, she holds a bouquet of lily of the valley. Prince William, in his Blues and Royals uniform, has his hands gently on her waist.
“13 years ago today!” the couple wrote.
While the Waleses often share photographs with the public, this one in particular caught royal watchers’ attention due to its intimate nature. Rather than being taken by a news service, this picture is clearly from the personal collection of the couple.
It also comes at a time when the family is prioritizing privacy. In March, the Princess of Wales announced she had been diagnosed with cancer. In an emotional video, she discussed taking time away from the spotlight to heal.
Yet it seems despite the fact the Princess of Wales is not making in-person appearances, she is still trying to interact with the public—even if that simply means sharing a personal wedding snapshot.
At the time, their wedding was broadcast on television in more than 180 countries, and watched on YouTube alone by over 72 million viewers. For the many people around the globe who were swept up in royal wedding mania at the time, this photo is a welcome throwback.