Prince William and Kate Middleton stunned the world last December when their official engagement pictures showed them – shock – looking affectionate.
The images, shot by renowned photographer Mario Testino, show the young couple cuddling and grinning and have been praised as some of the most relaxed and intimate royal images ever taken.
To put that comment into context, here are some of the most awkward, unromantic and downright glum royal engagement pictures from 1855 to today.
Engagement of Princess Royal Victoria to Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia in 1855
Engagement of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1862
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Engagement of The Duke of York and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck in 1893
Engagement of Princess Maud of Wales and Prince Charles of Denmark, 1896
Engagement of Prince Albert, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, 1923
Engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lt Philip Mountbatten, 1947
Engagement of The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, 1972
Engagement of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Philips, 1973
Engagement of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, 1981
Engagement of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, 1986
Engagement of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, 1999
Engagement of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, 2005
Engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, 2010
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