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 stylesRead more about this topic: Prince Edward, Earl Of Wessex
Famous quotes containing the word marriage:
“the marriage twists, holds firm, a sailor’s knot.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“That a marriage ends is less than ideal; but all things end under heaven, and if temporality is held to be invalidating, then nothing real succeeds.”
—John Updike (b. 1932)
“In marriage there are no manners to keep up, and beneath the wildest accusations no real criticism. Each is familiar with that ancient child in the other who may erupt again.... We are not ridiculous to ourselves. We are ageless. That is the luxury of the wedding ring.”
—Enid Bagnold (1889–1981)