The most iconic image from 26 royal weddings throughout modern British history

By: Business Insider

December 07, 2017 at 02:01 AM EST

The whole nation goes into overdrive as soon as a royal wedding is announced.

The hysteria was so extreme in the build-up to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement that one Norfolk-based company had thousands of mugs and tea towels emblazoned with the couple's faces ready to sell before the engagement was even definite.

Business Insider has compiled the one most iconic photo or painting from 26 of the 33 recorded royal weddings throughout modern British history.

Scroll on to see the royal weddings, in order from oldest to most recent, that have warmed the hearts of the British public throughout modern history — and to see how much fashion has changed since King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick back in 1795.

April 8, 1795: Prince George (to be King George IV) married Princess Caroline at Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.Wikimedia Commons/Gainsborough Dupont

The first cousins' marriage was not illegal at the time because the dangers inflicted on an incestuous couple's offspring weren't fully understood.

February 10, 1840: Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at St James's Palace.Wikimedia Commons/Hulton Archive/Getty

The Queen's white dress was unusual at the time. It was more fashionable for brides to wear colourful dresses — especially gold. In the 19th century, a white wedding dress was actually a symbol of wealth rather than purity.

January 25, 1858: Princess Victoria (daughter of Queen Victoria) married Prince Frederick of Prussia at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

The people of London filled the streets trying to get a glimpse of the Princess Royal on the way to St James's Palace. Princess Victoria's procession included 18 carriages, over 300 soldiers, and 220 horses, according to historian Hannah Pakula.

March 10, 1863: Prince Edward (to be King Edward VII) married Princess Alexandra of Denmark at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.Wikimedia Commons/John Jabez Edwin Mayal

When her son married Princess Alexandra, Queen Victoria didn't join the rest of the wedding procession in the pews of St George's Chapel. Instead, she watched the marriage ceremony alone from an upper balcony, looking over the crowds, according to one portrait of the ceremony.

July 5, 1866: Princess Helena (daughter of Queen Victoria) married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.forum.alexanderpalace.org

Princess Helena — nicknamed "Lenchen" by her family — was reportedly outspoken and tomboyish, according to the Royal Collection.

This didn't stop Queen Victoria's daughter from dressing up in exquisite, royal fashion with a flower crown adorned with orange blossom (a symbol of fertility) and myrtle (a symbol of love).

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