Sophie Wessex wedding: How Sophie and Edward paved the way for Meghan Markle

Prince Edward, 55, and Sophie Countess of Wessex, 54, have been married for two decades and have two children together. While Queen Elizabeth II’s other children married at St Paul’s

Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, her youngest Prince Edward set a new trend. When Prince Edward tied the knot with Sophie Countess of Wessex, little did he know that their wedding venue

would later become the choice spot for one of the most talked-about royal weddings the world has ever seen.

Edward and Sophie were married at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on June 19, 1999.

Edward’s older siblings had their weddings in London rather than Windsor.

While Prince Charles married Diana and St Paul’s Cathedral both Princess Anne and Prince Andrew had their weddings at Westminster Abbey.

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Prince Edward and Sophie’s big day paved the way for a string of future royal nuptials.

Their ceremony was watched by 200 million TV viewers in 1999 and was marked by the absence of a public kiss.

The newlyweds declined to kiss in front of the cameras because they wanted to keep the moment private.

According to wedding guests, they shared a kiss in front of friends at the reception afterwards.

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They also set off in a horse-drawn carriage as they made their way to their reception.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot at St George’s Chaple on May 19, 2018.

The former American actress’s marriage to Britain’s beloved Prince Harry was watched by millions across the globe.

However, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not the only royals to have tied the knot there in recent years.

Prince Andrew’s daughter, Princess Eugenie married her long-term beau Jack Brooksbank there last October.

While the wedding was not as high-profile as Meghan and Harry’s it was still broadcast on television and watched by thousands.

This spring Lady Gabriella Windsor married Thomas Kingston at the same spot.

While it is not usual for the Queen to attend the weddings of distant relatives both she and Prince Philip made a rare appearance at Lady Gabriella’s.

The location of St George’s Chapel makes it very easy to get to from Windsor Castle and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pooped down for the ceremony.

Windsor holds a special place in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s hearts and the pair now live nearby the spot where they were married.

The Sussexes moved into Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, in April ahead of baby Archie Harrison’s birth.

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