Sophie Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward married on June 19, 1999 in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, however their wedding broke royal protocol in a number of ways. Prince Edward was the last of the Queen’s children to tie the knot after all three of his older siblings’ first marriages had ended in divorce. Edward’s two brothers, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, both served as his supporters.
At the time of their engagement, Edward and Sophie made known their wish that the wedding should not be turned into a state occasion.
This meant there was no ceremonial state or military involvement.
The ceremony was instead mainly a family occasion.
Therefore, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair and other politicians were not invited.
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Whereas when Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011, all three leaders of the main UK political parties at the time, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, and Nick Clegg all attended, as William is second-in-line to the throne.
Also, Prince Charles’ wedding to Princess Diana in 1981 was considered a state occasion, since he is heir to the throne.
But Sophie and Edward decided against this, and went even further to change the usual style protocols at royal weddings.
Rather than court dress, Sophie and Edward requested guests attended their wedding wearing formal evening gowns.
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It was held in place by her beautiful diamond tiara, which was originally from the Queen’s private collection and was made up of four open scrollwork motifs.
To finish off her outfit, the Countess added a black and white pearl necklace and matching drop earrings which were a wedding gift from Prince Edward.
The royal couple are now parents to two children: Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, born in 2003 and 2007 respectively.
Sophie and Edward’s wedding was the town of Windsor’s largest occasion since the 1952 funeral of King George VI.