Prince Edward and Sophie Told Everyone Not to Do This at Their Wedding but These Guests Refused to Listen
It’s not uncommon for brides and grooms to make specific requests to guests who attend their nuptials. Some members of the royal family do so as well including Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (formerly the Countess of Wessex) who specifically told everyone attending their wedding not to wear one thing. However, some royals completely ignored them.
Read on to find out what that was and who didn’t follow the rules.
What Prince Edward and Sophie told their wedding guests not to wear
Prince Edward and Sophie tied the knot on June 19, 1999, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. That chapel has since become a popular spot for royal weddings as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said “I do” there and so did Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2018. It’s also where then-Prince Charles and Camilla had a marriage blessing after their civil ceremony in 2005.
Guides for Brides noted that Sophie and Edward made one request they expected everyone to follow when they tied the knot. But that didn’t happen.
The couple asked all guests to come in “formal evening wear” as the ceremony took place at 5 p.m. However, guests were told “not wear hats or headpieces” because the bride and groom felt those were “too formal.” The Queen Mother though still showed up wearing a hat anyway. Edward’s sister, Princess Anne, and aunt, Princess Margaret, also went against the rules and wore headpieces.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds smiled for photographers but opted not to kiss in front of the cameras like some other royals have done. Edward and Sophie then took a carriage ride through Windsor and waved to the crowds gathered.
What the bride and groom wore
For her big day, Sophie wore a coat dress designed by Samantha Shaw adorned with 325,000 crystals and pearls. She accessorized it with the Anthemion tiara, which was part of the late Queen Elizabeth II‘s private collection, and a striking cross necklace and matching pearl earrings that were gifts from Edward.
According to Guides For Brides, the duchess’s second dress for her reception was actually hidden underneath her wedding gown to remain a secret. It had long sleeves, a plunging neckline, and a sparkly waist. As for Prince Edward, he wore a traditional morning suit which he paired with a purple and yellow tie with cats on it. Some royal fans may recall seeing the prince wearing that same tie at Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Guides for Brides’ Nikita Thorne explained: “Every royal wedding will undoubtedly set trends, from fashion to styling. While Sophie and Edward’s wedding was still a very lavish affair, there was nowhere near as much pomp and ceremony as the weddings of senior royals. While still a very luxurious day, their wedding felt attainable and couples were able to easily borrow ideas for their own day, even if they couldn’t afford the full royal treatment.”
