Iconic invitations to historical events

There are some important events that many of us would have given just about anything to attend. Sadly, only a select few ever get an invitation. And it's been like that throughout history. Still, if you've ever wondered what an invitation to a royal wedding or coronation looks like, or indeed a request to attend the grand opening of a building or the funeral of someone famous, here's your chance to at least pretend you're on the guest list, or were present as an invitee.

In this gallery you'll find the invitations to a number of iconic events over the years. Click on and pop along. 

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

The invitation to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. The royal nuptials took place on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey.

Beethoven's funeral

Pictured is an invitation to the funeral of German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven dated March 29, 1827. 

Ronald Reagan inauguration ceremony

The invitation to the inauguration ceremony of president-elect Ronald Reagan and vice president-elect George Bush, on January 20, 1981, in Washington, D.C.

Barack Obama's presidential inauguration

The invitation to president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration on January 12, 2009, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.  

Frank Sinatra's funeral mass

The invitation to singer and actor Frank Sinatra's funeral mass, which took place on May 20, 1998.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The invitation for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel,  Windsor Castle. 

The wedding of Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo

The marriage invitation for Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo, which took place on January 30, 1853.

Dwight D. Eisenhower inauguration ceremony

An invitation to Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential inauguration on January 20, 1953, in Washington, D.C.

Invitation to form the American Woman Suffrage Association

Pictured is a handwritten invitation to participate in the planning of the formation of the American Woman Suffrage Association, written in Boston, Massachusetts, and dated August 5, 1869.

The coronation of King Edward VII of Denmark

The reverse of the invitation card for the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Denmark in 1902.

The coronation of King George V

A replica of the invitation to the coronation of King George V and Queen Consort Mary of Teck, which took place on June 22, 1911, at Westminster Abbey.

Invitation to the laying of the Memorial Stone in Tower Bridge

The invitation to the laying of the Memorial Stone at Tower Bridge on June 21, 1886.

Ball invitation

Pictured is an invitation to a ball at the court of King Louis XV in honor of his son's (the future Louis XVI) wedding to Marie-Antoinette, on February 24, 1745. 

The opening of the London and Greenwich Railway

The invitation to the official opening of the London and Greenwich Railway, which took place on December 14, 1836. 

The opening of Blackwall Tunnel in London

The invitation to the opening of the Blackwall Tunnel on October 30, 1895. The tunnel provides a road link under the River Thames between the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich in London. 

The opening of the London Coal Exchange

A delicate paper doily ticket for the ceremony that marked the opening of the new Coal Exchange in London, which occurred in 1849.