The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have released a new portrait to commemorate their silver wedding anniversary. The couple – who tied the knot on 19 June 1999 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle – have been married for 25 years.
Photographed by Chris Jelf in the gardens of their Bagshot Park home in Surrey, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie were the picture of marital bliss. Cuddled up, Edward could be seen standing with his arms around Sophie’s waist, while his wife rested her hands affectionately upon his.
It was back in the early 1990s that Prince Edward and Sophie – then a public relations professional – hit it off at a tennis event. After years of dating, they announced their engagement in January 1999, with Sophie giving fans a glimpse of her stunning Asprey and Garrard white gold ring.
Reported to be worth an estimated £105,000, the ring features a two-carat central oval diamond flanked by two smaller, heart-shaped diamonds.
Ahead of their nuptials in 1999, Edward said: “We manage to have a good laugh about things most of the time, and we happen to love each other, which is the most important thing of all.”
For their big day, the couple married at Windsor Castle. There was no ceremonial state or military involvement, and the pair even set a relaxed dress code, with no hats required. Airing on television, it’s reported that 200 million viewers tuned in to watch Edward and Sophie’s fairytale nuptials.
Stepping out in a silk organza bridal gown adorned with 325,000 crystals and pearls; Sophie’s wedding dress was designed by Samantha Keswick. Sporting a tiara from the late Queen’s private jewellery collection, the bride’s hair was been swept into an elegant low chignon, while her makeup was kept natural and dewy.
Following their big day, the royal couple would go on to welcome two children. Their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor was born on 8 November 2003, and their son, James, Earl of Wessex, arrived on 17 December 2007.
Currently, the family resides at a £30million mansion nestled in Bagshot Park in Surrey. The property sits on 51 acres of land and reportedly has 120 rooms. It is located just 11 miles away from Windsor Castle, and when the late Queen was residing there, the couple would often go over for tea with their children.
Another major milestone for Sophie and Edward, their 25th wedding anniversary comes just three months after he celebrated his 60th birthday. Issuing a tearful tribute to her husband, Sophie called him “the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands” and “still my best friend” while visiting Leeds.