In the two decades following her royal wedding, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, has subtly incorporated her bridal jewels into her outfits.
When she married Prince Edward at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 1999, Sophie looked incredible in a Samantha Shaw embellished coat dress which she teamed with the Anthemion Tiara, borrowed from her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.
One lesser-known accessory was her wedding gift from Edward, who personally designed unconventional white and black pearl drop earrings and a matching necklace with a cross pearl pendant.
© Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesThree years later, Sophie gave the sentimental earrings another outing at King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's wedding. She was pictured heading to Nieuwe Kerk Church in Amsterdam on 2 February 2002 in the dainty accessory, which she teamed with a neutral outfit.
Sophie layered a semi-sheer, embellished champagne-hued midi dress with a scalloped hem underneath an ivory jacket. The mother-of-two, who shares children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex with Edward, finished her look with satin pumps, a boxy bag and hid her cropped dark blonde bob underneath an asymmetrical oversized hat.
© Anwar HusseinWhile former PR boss Sophie proved her penchant for pearls by adding a three-strand necklace that matched her bridal earrings, it was not the one from her wedding day.
Recycling pearls
© GettyZack Stone from Steven Stone estimated that the bridal jewels were worth an incredible $35k.
Duchess Sophie: 5 top facts
© Victoria Jones/Shutterstock1. PR girl
Sophie built a successful career before marrying Prince Edward. She worked for Capitol Radio and later launched her own public relations agency, RJH Public Relations, which she ran with her business partner for five years.
2. Dog lover
Sophie is a well-known dog lover and is the patron of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. In January 2025, she visited the organisation's training centre and had adorable puppy cuddles with a nine-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy.
3. Bahamas proposal
Prince Edward proposed to Sophie after five years of dating during a holiday to the Bahamas in 1998. He presented her with a two-carat oval diamond, flanked with two-heart shaped gemstones.
4. Stepping up
As the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie is a full-time working member of the royal family. She has augmented her duties since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties and Prince Andrew relinquished his official roles. Alongside this, she balances being a devoted mum to her two children: Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17.
5. Princess wedding
Her 1999 wedding to Prince Edward was low-key but still attracted 200 million TV viewers. Her silk dress was adorned with 325,000 crystals and pearls, and her Anthemion tiara was selected from the late Queen’s private jewellery collection.
"The matching pieces were made by Asprey and Garrard, which adds to the sentimental value as they were also responsible for Sophie’s engagement ring – a trilogy ring worth $128,000 that features a two-carat central oval diamond, flanked by two smaller heart-shaped diamonds," he began.
© Samir Hussein"I’d estimate Sophie’s wedding necklace to be worth $30,000 (around £23,000) and the matching earrings to be worth an additional $5,000 (around £3,800)."
Since Maxima's wedding, Sophie has worn them on multiple occasions. She teamed the earrings with a metallic belted jacket and feathered hat for the Commonwealth Day Service in 2012, and with a blue crushed velvet military jacket, green trousers and heels for an event in Guildford in 2022.
