Prince Edward met Sophie at a photoshoot. He was scheduled to pose for a photograph with the former tennis player, Sue Barker, for the Prince Edward Challenge. Sue could not make it, and Sophie stepped in to pose for the photograph. Soon after a romance developed.
Edward married Sophie on 19 June 1999 - Sophie's father's birthday - at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The wedding started at 4.30 p. m. Guests were asked to wear evening wear and no hats. Coaches and mini-buses brought the 550 guests to the Chapel. These guests include royalty, actors, friends and family. Sophie arrived in a glass-topped Rolls-Royce.
Sophie's dress was by the London designer Samantha Shaw. The dress was of silk crepe and organza in an oyster shade with a train. It was embroidered with 325,000 cut-glass beads and pearls. The dress had a V-neck and a medieval design. The Queen lent Sophie a tiara and Prince Edward gave her a black and white pearl necklace with a cross pendant and matching earrings. The bride's bouquet was made up of roses, lily of the valley, freesias and stephanotis. Edward wore a morning suit.
The bridesmaids and page-boys were dressed in black and white. These outfits were loosely styled on the Knights of the Garter. Sophie had two bridesmaids and two pageboys.
On leaving the Chapel, the royal family stepped into Ascot landaus and made their way through Windsor to the reception at St George's Hall. The newlyweds continued the unconventional style by having a self-service dinner. The menu included smoked haddock coulibiac and beef stroganoff, followed by fresh raspberries.
After leaving the reception they went to the Royal Lodge to stay with the Queen Mother. Next morning they had a 'brunch' at their new home at Bagshot Park. Then it was off to Balmoral. Unlike other couples, Edward and Sophie did not take a long honeymoon. They spent a couple of days at Balmoral, then it was back home and back to work.
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