The youngest of Queen Elizabeth’s four children, Prince Edward has perhaps been the wisest insofar as matters of the heart are concerned.
While King Charles, Princess Anne, and disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have all endured broken marriages, Prince Edward’s relationship with his wife of 26 years, Sophie, has stood the test of time.
The secret to their success was a long courtship, as royal expert Ingrid Seward told the BBC that ‘they will have discovered anything they didn’t like about each other’ during their five-year relationship before tying the knot.
Indeed, the royal couple had been together for so long that Sophie – who crossed paths with Edward in 1993 – had even begun to wonder whether her Prince Charming would ever get down on one knee.
By 1998, Sophie, then 33, and Edward had not discussed marriage ‘seriously in three years’ and, although they were happy together, the former publicist was aware her ‘biological clock was ticking,’ according to biographer Sean Smith.
However, Sophie knew ‘there could be no marriage’ within the royal family after Princess Diana‘s death in 1997 plunged the nation into mourning, Mr Smith wrote in Sophie: Saving the Royal Family.
Instead, they kept their ‘heads down’ and focused on building their respective careers as well as renovating their new home, Bagshot Park, as Sophie pushed the thought of a proposal out of her mind.
So, when Prince Edward pulled off a fairytale proposal in the Bahamas, a ‘stunned’ Sophie ‘could scarcely speak the word “yes”‘, the royal author revealed.
The Duke of Edinburgh (right), the late Queen’s youngest son, popped the question to his long-time-girlfriend, Sophie Rhys-Jones (left) in December 1998. Pictured: the happy couple after announcing their engagement in January 1999
Shortly before Christmas in 1998, the now-Duke of Edinburgh whisked his long-term girlfriend off to the Caribbean nation for a surprise romantic getaway.
The prince had booked the private Hamilton House, a beachside four-bedroom villa on the remote island of Eleuthera, where they spent two ‘sun-kissed days’ before Edward proposed during a romantic candle-lit dinner.
‘Sophie was stunned and could scarcely speak the word “yes” before finding her voice and replying “Yes, please!”,’ Mr Smith described her reaction to Edward’s ‘gallant proposal’.
After returning to the UK on December 23, the pair parted for Christmas at home with their respective families – with Edward joining the royal family at Sandringham while Sophie went back to Brenchley.
They planned to keep the proposal a secret until January 6, 1999, after Edward formally asked Sophie’s father Christopher Rhys-Jones for her hand in marriage.
While Edward was ‘looking forward to springing’ the news of his engagement ‘on the media’, The Sun ran a front-page story ‘on the very morning of the big announcement’ before Buckingham Palace issued an official confirmation.
The Palace’s statement read: ‘The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are delighted to announce the engagement of their youngest son, Prince Edward, to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones.
‘The couple sought the permission of their respective parents between Christmas and New Year. Both families are thrilled at the news.’
While the statement added that no venue was confirmed for their upcoming nuptials, it revealed that the pair were hopeful ‘that it might be possible to use St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in the late spring or summer.’
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The secret to Sophie and Edward’s (pictured) success was a long courtship, as royal expert Ingrid Seward told the BBC that ‘they will have discovered anything they didn’t like about each other’ during their five-year relationship before tying the knot
Prior to the proposal, the pair had been focused on building their respective careers as well as renovating their new home, Bagshot Park (pictured)
The couple had agreed to keep their engagement secret for a few days, with plans for a formal announcement on January 6, 1999. However, much to Edward’s dismay, the news was unexpectedly leaked to the media
It was an incredible moment for Sophie’s family, with their ‘commoner’ daughter now set to become a princess.
After their engagement was announced, her father and tyre salesman Christopher beamed with pride as he told photographers of his joy at gaining a new son-in-law.
Speaking from his front doorstep, he declared: ‘We like Edward immensely. He is a very, very nice chap. I think Sophie will do very well.’
In a seemingly veiled nod to the rather long wait for Edward to pop the question, Christopher added: ‘She has not exactly been catapulted in – it’s been a fairly long apprenticeship.’
That afternoon, the elated couple gathered in the grounds of St James’s Palace in front of the world’s press and even showcased a rare public display of affection as Edward placed a delicate kiss on his fiancée’s cheek.
Speaking to the sea of reporters that had raced to the palace following the unexpected news, Edward sought to justify the lengthy wait for a proposal.
‘It’s impossible to understand why it has taken me this long, but I don’t think it would have been right before, and I don’t think she would have said yes,’ he said.
It was also the first time Sophie was photographed wearing her engagement ring that was designed by royal jewellers Asprey & Garrard.
Mr Smith wrote: ‘Sophie’s smile dazzled almost as much as the fabulous diamond engagement ring she was proudly showing off.’
The white gold ring featured a two-carat, central oval diamond ‘flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds’ and cost an estimated £105,000.
After their engagement was announced, her father and tyre salesman Christopher beamed with pride as he told photographers of his joy at gaining a new son-in-law. (pictured with Sophie’s mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, on the couple’s doorstep)
Sophie’s white gold ring (pictured) featured a two-carat, central oval diamond ‘flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds’ and cost an estimated £105,000
In reference to the showstopping sparkler, the prince quipped, ‘If it catches the sun, you’ll be blinded’ before ‘cornily’ adding: ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so I’m told.’
Sophie then chimed in: ‘No, you’re my best friend.’
The pair also shared intimate details about their charming romance, with Sophie joyously adding: ‘We laugh a lot and we have a great friendship’.
Edward, however, was slightly less forthcoming in his answers. When one journalist queried how the proposal was, he responded sheepishly: ‘Well, I spoke it.’
Yet he did share the couple’s plans for their upcoming nuptials, declaring that they hoped it would be ‘a predominantly family wedding’ and that Windsor’s St George’s Chapel was a ‘wonderful setting’ due to its ‘glorious architecture’.
While Sophie was no doubt anxious about the prospect of marrying into the Firm, she spoke with confidence about her upcoming role.
‘It is slightly nerve-wracking in many ways, but I am ready for it now,’ she said. ‘I’m fully aware of the responsibilities and commitments and I think now I am ready.’
Speaking to photographers at St James’s Palace, Edward said: ‘It’s impossible to understand why it has taken me this long, but I don’t think it would have been right before, and I don’t think she would have said yes’
The couple exchanged vows before 500 guests at St George’s Chapel on June 19, 1999, with a further 200 million viewers watching the televised event
Happy Anniversary Edward and Sophie! A look back at last 25 years
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The couple exchanged vows before 500 guests at St George’s Chapel on June 19, 1999, with a further 200 million viewers watching the televised event.
On the day, Sophie travelled to the chapel with her proud father in a Rolls-Royce that had originally been presented to the late queen for her Silver Jubilee in 1978.
The princess-to-be exuded elegance in a custom-made ensemble, comprising a coatdress and an evening dress designed by Samantha Keswick.
Her full-length ivory gown featured a deep V-neckline, long sleeves and intricate beading around the neck, sleeves and train.
Concealed beneath was a silk corseted dress, adorned with an impressive 325,000 cut-glass and pearl beads.
More than 26 years since they tied the knot, the couple, who were granted the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh by the King in 2023, are happier than ever.
The pair still reside in their beloved Bagshot Park home in Surrey and now share two children: Lady Louise Windsor, 22, and 18-year-old James Windsor.
