This Western Union telegram from August 9, 1969, is a piece of music history. The telegram was sent by singer Diane Ross to Mary Wilson of the Supremes, inviting her to a party where the Jackson Five and Michael Jackson were to perform. Curiously, Ross has misrepresented Michael Jackson's age in the telegram.

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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.

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The opening of Forth Bridge in Scotland -

The invitation to the opening of the Forth Bridge in March 1890. The bridge connects the city of Edinburgh with Fife, in Scotland.

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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.

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The opening of the London Coal Exchange -

The reverse of the ticket for the opening ceremony of the Coal Exchange in London in 1849.

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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.

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Beethoven's funeral -

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

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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.

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The opening of Tower Bridge in London -

The decorative invitation issued by the Corporation of the City of London to attend the official opening of Tower Bridge in June 1894.

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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.

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The wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly -

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Frank Sinatra's funeral mass -

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

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The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II -

The much-in-demand invitation to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

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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.

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Invitation to a meeting that led to the founding of the Bank of New York -

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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.

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Invitation to lay the foundation stone of London Bridge -

The invitation to the laying of London Bridge's "first stone" in 1825.

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Dwight D. Eisenhower inauguration ceremony -

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

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The wedding of Prince Edward -

The invitation to the wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhy-Jones, which took place in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, on June 19, 1999.

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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.

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The coronation of King Edward VII of Denmark -

The invitation to the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Denmark on June 26, 1902, at Westminster Abbey.

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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.

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The wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Philips -

The invitation card for Anne, Princess Royal and Mark Phillips' wedding on November 14, 1973, at Westminster Abbey.

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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.

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James Garfield inaugural reception -

The invitation to the inaugural reception of the 20th president of the United States, James Garfield, on March 4, 1881, in Washington, D.C.

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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.

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The wedding of Frederik of Denmark and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson -

The invitation card to the wedding of Frederik of Denmark and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson in Paris, France, on May 7, 2004.

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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.

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Invitation to Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday -

The invitation to the Queen's 80th birthday lunch on April 19, 2006, at Buckingham Palace.

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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.

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Diane Ross telegram -

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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.

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The opening of Forth Bridge in Scotland -

The invitation to the opening of the Forth Bridge in March 1890. The bridge connects the city of Edinburgh with Fife, in Scotland.

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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.

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The opening of the London Coal Exchange -

The reverse of the ticket for the opening ceremony of the Coal Exchange in London in 1849.

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Iconic invitations to historical events

From royal weddings to grand inaugurations

28/09/23 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Invite

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.