Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex - Marriage

Marriage

The Prince's engagement to Sophie Rhys-Jones, then a public relations executive with her own firm, was announced on 6 January 1999.

The wedding itself took place on 19 June, of the same year, at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. This was a break from the weddings of Edward's older siblings, which were large, formal events at Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral. On his wedding day, the Queen conferred on Prince Edward the titles of Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn, again breaking with the tradition that the son of a sovereign is created a duke. It was also announced that the Earl of Wessex would be created Duke of Edinburgh when that dukedom, held by Edward's father since 1947, reverts to the Crown, which can happen only after both of his parents have died (see here for details). It was also announced that any children of the Earl and Countess would be styled as the children of an Earl, rather than as Prince/ss and Royal Highness (as they would otherwise have been under the Letters Patent issued by King George V). Consequently, Edward's two children are known as Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. The family resides at Bagshot Park in Surrey.

Further information: on his children's titles and styles

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