[Photo credit: RR Auction]

Captured by Lord Lichfield, the 14 ‘candid’ photos show the wedding party at Buckingham Palace, the venue for the reception held after Charles and Diana married at St Paul’s Cathedral on 29 July 1981.

The images are due to go on sale at RR Auction in the USA.

One shows the couple on the Buckingham Palace balcony, captured from behind as they overlook the huge crowds outside.

The collection of original prints – consisting of seven 10x8in black & white images and seven colour 7x5in photos – originate from a collection held by the assistant to Lichfield who, according to auctioneers, provided a letter of provenance which reads: ‘I was the photographic assistant to Lord Patrick Lichfield… the only photographer allowed to take informal photographs of the royal family and their guests when they returned to Buckingham Palace… for the wedding reception…

‘Lord Lichfield had me make up an album of black & white and colour photographs, which he presented to Prince Charles and Princess Diana… These are photos that did not go into that album.’

The collection was given to the assistant ‘in recognition of the work done on the wedding photographs’.

The assistant, who has not been named by the auction house, adds: ‘To my knowledge, none have ever been published. Very few people have ever laid eyes on them.’

Bobby Livingston, executive vice-president at RR Auction said: ‘These never-before-seen photographs capture the candid and unrehearsed moments of the fairytale wedding.’

Bidding opens on 17 September and closes on 24 September.

Bids can be made online, by phone, fax or traditional mail. The minimum bid is $300.

Lord Lichfield died in 2005, aged 66.

For further details visit the RR Auction website