Behind the scenes at the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana

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The newly released photograph is part of a collection being auctioned off in Boston next month
Image shows the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana enjoying champagne at their wedding reception
Another dozen photos, all thought to have been taken by Lord Robert Litchfield, were released earlier this week

Published: 10:59 EST, 12 August 2015 | Updated: 13:58 EST, 12 August 2015

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It should have been the start of a happy life together but as the following years would reveal, the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana proved anything but joyful.

But at their wedding, in July 1981, the heartbreak was still to come and now a new, previously unseen photo, has revealed just how close the royal couple once were.

Standing in an anteroom at Buckingham Palace, the grainy picture shows a smiling Diana resplendent in her ivory taffeta Elizabeth Emanuel gown standing beside a clearly delighted Charles, who clutches a glass of champagne in his hand.

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Happy couple: Prince Charles and Princess Diana are pictured enjoying their wedding reception at Buckingham Palace in July 1981

The image is part of a collection of dozens of previously unpublished snaps that are thought to have been taken by Lord Patrick Lichfield, who was given unrestricted access to the reception.

Lord Lichfield's photographs had been due to be returned to the royals for inclusion in a family wedding album but not all made the cut - among them the ones in his personal collection.

Due to go under the hammer next month, the striking pictures include a touching shot of Diana reassuring five-year-old bridesmaid Clementine Hambro while walking through the palace with the Queen.

Another candid shot shows Her Majesty beaming while peering at a television showing images of the cheering crowds celebrating the wedding outside on Pall Mall.

More still show Diana, who died in a car accident in Paris in 1997, arranging the 25ft taffeta and lace train of her gown while waiting for the formal wedding photograph to be taken.

Also featured in the collection, which will be sold off by RR Auctions in Boston on September 24, are Princesses Anne and Margaret, Prince Andrew and the late Queen Mother.

Beautiful archive footage shows wedding of Diana and Charles