Looking back at the wedding of the Shah and Empress Farah

Today marks the 65th wedding anniversary of Shah Mohammed Reza and Empress Farah of Iran.

The Shah married Iranian Farah Diba in a Muslim ceremony on Monday, 21 December 1959, in Tehran. Their engagement was announced just a few weeks earlier.

The wedding took place in the Hall of Mirrors at Golestan Palace with the traditional Islamic nikkah ceremony taking place before a banquet. Farah had several bridesmaids who helped carry the train of her gown through the palace.

Farah, who was made Queen of Iran with the marriage, wore a custom Yves Saint Laurent for Dior embellished, sleeveless wedding gown; it featured Persian motifs with sequins, pearls and silver thread. The long train was fur-lined and there were hidden blue hems for good luck on having a son. The Shah also gifted her a new tiara – the Noor-ul-Ain Tiara made by Harry Winston. The new royal also wore a diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings.

Farah on her wedding day. By Alirezaahmadi11268 -Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Following tradition, she ceremonially set free caged birds on the day of her wedding. She later spoke to the press at the palace after the ceremony.

The 21-year-old’s wedding to the Shah was celebrated by Iranians and it received global attention.

Farah was later made Empress of Iran on 26 October 1967 during the Coronation.

The Shah and Empress had four children: Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi (b. 1960), Princess Farahnaz Pahlavi (b. 1963), Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi (1966-2011), and Princess Leila Pahlavi (1970-2001). After the family’s exile from Iran, the Empress now splits her time between the United States and France.