The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are celebrating a significant milestone today — their 27th wedding anniversary. Prince Edward and Sophie exchanged vows at St George's Chapel in Windsor on June 19, 1999, in what was widely regarded as an informal royal wedding. Guests turned out in large numbers, including the late Queen and Prince Philip, King Charles, and Princes William and Harry.
Sophie looked stunning in a wedding gown by Samantha Shaw and was granted permission to wear a tiara from the late Queen's private collection. The relaxed atmosphere of the occasion led the couple to opt for a less rigid dress code — requesting that guests arrive in evening wear and leave their hats at home.
Royal Hat Rule Ignored
However, it appears some royals chose to bend these rules — with one family member seemingly disregarding them altogether. Photos from the occasion show the groom's late mother, Queen Elizabeth, sporting a delicate lilac fascinator, while the groom's sister Princess Anne chose a small green hair accessory.
When it came to Edward's grandmother, the late Queen Mother, she still arrived wearing a hat — though the couple may well have been perfectly content with this, given she was rarely spotted in public without one. Following their ceremony at St George's Chapel, the newlyweds enjoyed a carriage ride through Windsor before heading to their reception in St George's Hall.
Sophie's Royal Title Journey
When Sophie joined the Royal Family over two decades ago, a few eyebrows were raised at the news that she would not receive a duchess title. Unlike her sister-in-law Camilla and her nephew's wife Kate, Sophie was bestowed the title of Countess of Wessex upon her marriage to Edward in 1999.
However, in 2023, King Charles granted both Edward and Sophie new titles — finally elevating them to Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. It had long been the wish of Prince Philip, the former Duke of Edinburgh, and the former monarch to pass the Dukedom to Edward and Sophie following their deaths.
Philip's 11-Word Announcement
In a previous interview, Sophie revealed how she and Edward sat stunned when Philip informed them of his wishes regarding his title — in just 11 words. Recounting the moment she and her husband learned of Philip's intentions, she told the Telegraph: "We sat there slightly stunned. He literally came straight in and said, 'Right. I'd like it very much if you would consider that'."
Philip's wish for Edward to inherit the title was a nod to his son's decades of dedication to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the youth programme widely regarded as one of Philip's most cherished legacies.
A Private Life Away from the Spotlight
The couple, who are parents to Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, are often regarded as some of the Royal Family's safest pairs of hands, quietly keeping up with duty and being an invaluable support for the King.
They have enjoyed a bigger public profile in recent years, especially since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from royal duties, allowing the Edinburghs to take more of the spotlight. Away from their royal roles, Edward and Sophie appear to prefer life away from publicity, living under the radar at their Bagshot Park estate in Surrey.
