Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie have been married for 27 years, having tied the knot on 19 June 1999, just five months after announcing their engagement. Compared to other senior royals, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh tend to keep their relationship remarkably low-key.
On their wedding day, the couple married at St George's Chapel in Windsor, with the bride wearing an elegant gown designed by Samantha Shaw paired with the 'Anthemion' tiara from Queen Elizabeth II's personal collection.
© Getty ImagesToday, Edward and Sophie reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey alongside their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex (formerly Viscount Severn), born in 2003 and 2007 respectively. The estate is truly their forever home, with the couple recently extending their lease for another 150 years after their original 50-year agreement neared its end.
As working royals, the pair maintain a busy schedule of official engagements and patronages across numerous charities and organisations. Prince Edward, born at Buckingham Palace in 1964 and is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. While he sits 16th in line to the throne, his focus remains firmly on public service.
Grand displays of public affection are rare for the couple, but royal fans are occasionally treated to glimpses of them sharing a laugh or exchanging a warm look. Here, we take a look back at some of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s sweetest moments over the years...
Engagement hour
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Edward and Sophie Rhys Jones announced their engagement in January 1999 and posed for photos at St James's Palace. The royal proposed to his girlfriend with a diamond engagement ring made by Asprey and Garrard. There was a sweet moment as Edward kissed the bride-to-be on the cheek during the photocall.
Wedding bells
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe newlyweds gazed at one another lovingly, following their wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor in June 1999. They were given the titles of Earl and Countess of Wessex on the day of their marriage.
Huge milestone
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple's first child, Lady Louise Windsor, was born in 2003 at Frimley Park Hospital. The proud parents beamed at one another for their first official portrait as a family-of-three, taken at the Queen's Sandringham estate.
Romance on the royal tour
© Photo: Getty ImagesPhotographers captured this sweet moment of the couple during a visit to Brunei in 2000 in the Ulu Temburong National Park. Edward placed his arm around his wife as they walked across a rope bridge.
Giggling together
© Photo: Getty ImagesEdward is always making his wife laugh when they carry out joint engagements together. We love this photo of the pair of them giggling during a trip to Oxfordshire in 2014.
Celebrations
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Wessexes had a cute moment together at Royal Ascot in 2013, when they celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary.
Sporting challenge
© Photo: Getty ImagesA proud Edward kisses wife Sophie after she completed a gruelling 450-mile cycling challenge from Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace in 2016, to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Countess and her team completed the ride in seven days and looked overjoyed to be greeted by her husband and two children at the palace.
20th wedding anniversary
© Photo: Getty ImagesEdward and Sophie marked their milestone anniversary at Royal Ascot in 2019.
The look of love
© Photo: Getty ImagesEdward and Sophie were seen glancing affectionately at one another as they arrived for day two of Royal Ascot 2021. The Earl looked smart in a morning suit, while his wife wowed in a blouse and a floral A-line skirt for their day out at the races.
A romantic stroll
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Earl and Countess were all smiles as they enjoyed a romantic stroll through a display at the Chelsea Flower Show in September 2021, where Sophie stunned in a white knitted Victoria Beckham dress.
Making each other laugh
© Getty ImagesOn day two of the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show, the pair looked at each other with immense affection as they shared a laugh. Let us in on the joke, guys!
Helping hand
© Getty ImagesPrince Edward offered Sophie a gentle helping hand during a traditional Nepalese welcome as they visited the Gurung community centre and museum during an official tour of Nepal in February 2025.
More inside jokes
© Getty ImagesThe couple were seen playfully chatting and sharing an inside joke during a visit to the Gurkha Welfare Trust Welfare Centre on day three of their official tour to Nepal in February 2025.
Matching outfits
© SNS Group via Getty ImagesThe couple were fully focused on the action at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where they sported coordinated matching outfits in July 2026.
