When Miss Rhys-Jones walked down the aisle of St George's Chapel on a heat summer time day in 1999, she had already surpassed many expectations.
It’s mentioned that the Queen's first phrases upon assembly Sophie, the daughter of a tyre salesman from Kent a few years in the past, had been: 'You wouldn't be capable to choose her out of a crowd.'
The truth is, the now Duchess of Edinburgh has at all times been forward of the gang and has confirmed herself to be probably the most appropriate match for the Queen's youngest son.
Right this moment, Prince Edward and Sophie are celebrating their silver marriage ceremony anniversary in their very own distinctive means, with none formal fanfare.
The palace has launched a brand new {photograph} of the couple taken earlier this month, and it’s believed they might attend Royal Ascot this afternoon.
However their understated type often is the secret to their success – each as a pair and as members of a working royal household.
Right this moment, Prince Edward and Sophie are celebrating their marriage ceremony anniversary in their very own particular means, with none formal fanfare. The palace has launched a brand new {photograph} (above) of the couple, taken at Bagshot Park earlier this month.
Natasha Livingstone writes that when Miss Rhys-Jones walked down the aisle of St George's Chapel on a scorching day in the summertime of 1999, she had already surpassed many expectations. Above: The couple go away the Windsor church after the ceremony on June 19, 1999
It’s mentioned that the Queen's first phrases upon assembly Sophie (who was the daughter of a Kent tyre salesman) years in the past had been: 'You wouldn't be capable to choose her out of a crowd.' Above: The 2 collectively at a Buckingham Palace reception in 2019
Of the late Queen's 4 youngsters, Edward is the one one who didn’t must undergo a painful divorce.
His love affair with Sophie started with an invite to a sport of tennis.
On 16 July 1993 Prince Edward was attributable to pose for {a photograph} with tennis star Sue Barker to advertise a charity sport – however pulled out on the final second.
The occasion's publicist needed to shortly discover a substitute, and he selected one among his most photogenic colleagues, Sophie Rhys-Jones.
Together with her blonde cropped hair and clear blue eyes, she was the prince's first selection.
One night a number of months later he invited her to play tennis adopted by dinner.
For six weeks they dated like a traditional couple, consuming curry and going to the theatre.
Edward and Sophie posing collectively in tennis gear in 1993, the yr they started relationship
Sophie on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the Queen and Prince Philip at Trooping the Color in 2016
Sophie was additionally on the balcony on the day of the king's coronation
And, though, in keeping with Tina Brown's The Palace Papers, the late Queen was initially not very impressed with Miss Rhys-Jones, her opinion quickly modified.
Mates mentioned the Queen was happy with the impact Sophie had on Edward, making him extra calm and fewer erratic.
She shortly takes a liking to Sophie and respects her 'lack of pretence'.
When the couple lastly married in 1999, the identical low-key angle was mirrored within the service.
They had been the primary royals to decide on St George's Chapel in Windsor for his or her marriage ceremony.
This began a contemporary pattern that was adopted in 2005 by the then Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles for his or her marriage ceremony blessing.
Peter Phillips and his ex-wife Autumn Kelly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and, most not too long ago, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank additionally married on the church.
For Edward and Sophie's marriage ceremony, males had been invited to decorate in morning costume, whereas girls had been inspired to put on night costume—however no hats (the Queen broke this rule with a lilac siren).
To make this restrained royal event much more memorable, the couple loved a brief carriage trip across the metropolis as bride and groom, however prevented any grand public occasions.
As the brand new Earl and Countess of Wessex, their accession as working royals was not with out difficulties.
In 2001 Sophie was caught making embarrassing feedback in regards to the royal household in a sting operation by the now defunct Information of the World.
The couple had tried to steadiness their working careers and royal duties, however the incident proved that the mixture was not possible – and so the Queen requested her Lord Chamberlain, Lord Luce, to resolve the scenario.
Just a few months later, the couple introduced they had been quitting to focus solely on royal duties full-time.
Since then, Sophie and Edward have grow to be a vital a part of the trendy royal machine.
Prince Edward holds his father's title with dignity and carries on his legacy by way of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Sophie normally receives little media consideration however has begun to tackle royal tasks, notably abroad.
Sophie and Edward had been the primary royal relations in residing reminiscence to decide on St George's Chapel in Windsor for his or her marriage ceremony. Above: Members of the royal household be a part of the newlyweds on the steps of St George's Chapel after the ceremony
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds rode in a horse-drawn carriage to their reception at St George's Corridor at Windsor Fortress, the place they loved a buffet-style dinner with their friends.
Sophie and Edward have grow to be a vital a part of the trendy royal machine
25 years in the past immediately, Prince Edward holds the hand of his bride Sophie on their marriage ceremony day at St George's Chapel in Windsor
Sophie not too long ago grew to become the primary member of the royal household to go to Ukraine because the Russian invasion. Above: Sophie stands subsequent to Ukraine's First Woman Olena Zelenska in Kiev on April 29
Final yr she visited Canada, Ethiopia and Colombia – and not too long ago grew to become the primary member of the royal household to go to Ukraine because the Russian invasion.
Within the wake of the Sussexes' departure and the King and Princess of Wales' well being struggles, Edward and Sophie's hard-working reliability is a pillar of stability for the royal household.
Two of his youngsters – Woman Louise, 20, and Viscount Severn, 16 – seem to have inherited these values, and considerably didn’t take the HRH type title to which they had been mechanically entitled.
Woman Louise, who made a shock look at Trooping the Color on the weekend, has additionally earned reward for her arduous work and humble angle.
He labored at a backyard centre whereas awaiting his A-level leads to 2022.
In order they have fun their silver marriage ceremony jubilee immediately, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have so much to have fun. I hope they'll be elevating a glass to a different 25 years.
