Inside Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s 1999 wedding

Promptly after announcing their engagement in January of 1999, Prince Edward, the Queen’s youngest son, and his future bride, Sophie Rhys-Jones, made it clear they wanted their wedding to have none of the pomp of a typical royal event. The pair, who had met at a tennis match in 1993, declined for their wedding to be a state occasion, meaning there was no ceremonial state involvement, no politicians invited to the wedding and none of the usual military symbolism. They also asked female guests to opt for eveningwear rather than a day dress with a matching hat, and men to wear morning coats rather than the usual royal dress code of a uniform or more formal suit.

Their understated union took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, with Prince Edward arriving on foot with his brothers Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, and the bride arriving with her father Christopher Rhys-Jones in a Rolls-Royce.

The bride wore an ivory silk organza wedding dress by Samantha Shaw, layered with a matching silk crepe coat and a veil with crystal beading. Of particular note was the bride’s tiara, a previously unseen piece from the Crown Jewel collection, which had royal historians debating its exact origins. Designed by the crown jeweller, David Thomas of Asprey and Garrard, the piece is made up of four detachable diamond anthemions said to be taken from one of Queen Victoria’s iconic crowns.

On their wedding day, the couple were pronounced as Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the unexpected earldom later being clarified by the monarchy – Prince Edward will become the Duke of Edinburgh when the title becomes available.

Scroll through to go inside this royal wedding.

The bride arrives at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for her wedding.

Prince Edward and his bride on the steps of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on June 19, 1999.

The newly married couple exit the chapel.

The pageboys and bridesmaids included Camilla Hadden, Olivia Taylor, Felix Sowerbutts and Harry Warburton, who were all commoners and children of the couple’s close friends.

A young Prince William and Prince Harry attended the wedding.

The couple with Her Majesty The Queen, who wore an all-purple look.

The royal family wave to the couple as they begin their carriage procession.

The couple wave from the carriage during their procession through the streets of Windsor.

The bride wore a wedding dress by Samantha Shaw and a previously unseen tiara.Click Here: kanken mini cheap