Sophie, Countess of Wessex, married the Queen’s youngest son on 19 June 1999. Originally Sophie Rhys-Jones, she ran her own public relations agency. She met Prince Edward in 1987 while working at Capital Radio, though he was dating her friend at the time. They began their relationship in 1993.
The prince proposed in late 1998, with a two-carat oval diamond engagement ring with two heart diamonds.
Sophie wore an interesting and very unique tiara for her wedding day.
In a royal first, she was gifted a new tiara made from antique jewellery.
Most brides either borrow a royal tiara, like Meghan Markle did, or have a new one made for them, like Sarah Ferguson’s wedding tiara.
Or, in Princess Diana’s case, they wear their own family’s tiara.
While Sarah Ferguson’s wedding tiara was a gift from the Queen, created entirely new, Sophie’s was designed from older pieces from the Queen’s private collection.
In a historic nod to a great British queen, the tiara is thought to contain pieces from Queen Victoria’s Regal Circlet.
The circlet was made with detachable elements, which has cone unused for 50 years.
It seemed fitting that they were repurposed for a modern royal wedding.
Sophie wore the wedding to the Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.
Sophie Wessex’s wedding dress was made of ivory silk, with a fitted bodice.
She carried a huge bouquet of lilies and a pearl necklace given to her by the groom before the wedding.
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As well as members of the Royal Family, a number of other high-profile faces were in attendance.
This included Queen Ingrid of Denmark, and the King and Queen of Sweden.