Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's 1986 Royal Wedding Marks 40th Anniversary

On 23 July 1986 Prince Andrew married Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey attended by about 2,000 guests. The wedding was televised worldwide, reaching an estimated 500 million viewers. Sarah's bridal gown, designed by Lindka Cierach, featured ivory duchesse satin, puff sleeves and personalized details such as embroidered teddy bears reflecting Andrew’s hobby.

Four decades later the couple’s marriage has ended amid scandals, and the royal pair are now among the United Kingdom's least popular royals. The anniversary prompted retrospectives on the 1980s‑style wedding dress and the public enthusiasm that greeted the ceremony at the time.

The event remains a notable moment in recent British royal history, reflecting both the grandeur of the 1980s royal celebrations and the later decline in the couple’s public standing.