<p id=”par-1_59″>It’s not uncommon for brides and grooms to make specific requests to guests who attend their nuptials. Some members of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/royal-family/?swcfpc=1″>the royal family</a> do so as well including Prince Edward and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sophies-new-title-doesnt-mean-wont-curtsy-meghan-markle.html/”>Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh</a> (formerly the Countess of Wessex) who specifically told everyone attending <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/prince-edward-designed-something-specific-wife-sophie-wedding-day.html/”>their wedding </a>not to wear one thing. However, some royals completely ignored them. </p>
<p id=”par-2_15″>Read on to find out what that was and who didn’t follow the rules. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-what-prince-edward-and-sophie-told-their-wedding-guests-not-to-wear”>What Prince Edward and Sophie told their wedding guests not to wear</h2>
<p id=”par-3_64″>Prince Edward and Sophie tied the knot on June 19, 1999, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. That chapel has since become a popular spot for royal weddings as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/prince-harry-was-able-to-marry-meghan-markle-because-she-didnt-do-this-1-thing-in-her-past.html/”>said “I do”</a> there and so did Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2018. It’s also where then-Prince Charles and Camilla had a marriage blessing after their civil ceremony in 2005. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Prince-Edward-and-his-wife-Sophie-now-Duchess-of-Edinburgh-greet-wellwishers-from-an-open-carriage-following-their-wedding-in-St.-Georges-Chapel-1.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie (now-Duchess of Edinburgh) greet wellwishers from an open carriage following their wedding in St. George’s Chapel” class=”wp-image-3678901″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie (now-Duchess of Edinburgh), greet well-wishers from a carriage following their wedding | ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_26″><a href=”https://guidesforbrides.co.uk/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Guides for Brides</a> noted that Sophie and Edward made one request they expected everyone to follow when they tied the knot. But that didn’t happen. </p>
<p id=”par-5_65″>The couple asked all guests to come in “formal evening wear” as the ceremony took place at 5 p.m. However, guests were told “not wear hats or headpieces” because the bride and groom felt those were “too formal.” The Queen Mother though still showed up wearing a hat anyway. Edward’s sister, Princess Anne, and aunt, Princess Margaret, also went against the rules and wore headpieces.</p>
<p id=”par-6_39″>Following the ceremony, the newlyweds smiled for photographers but opted not to kiss in front of the cameras like some other royals have done. Edward and Sophie then took a carriage from the chapel to St. George’s Hall in Windsor.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-what-the-bride-and-groom-wore”>What the bride and groom wore</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-wedding-of-Prince-Edward-and-Sophie-Rhys-Jones-now-Sophie-Duchess-of-Edinburgh-1.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”The wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones (now Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh)” class=”wp-image-3678866″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>The wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones (now Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh) | Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-7_50″>For her big day, Sophie wore a coat dress designed by Samantha Shaw adorned with 325,000 crystals and pearls. She accessorized it with the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeths-favorite-daughter-in-law-sophie-stuns-every-time-wears-tiara-late-queens-personal-collection.html/”>Anthemion tiara</a>, which was part of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeth-ii-dead-british-monarch-dies-96.html/”>the late Queen Elizabeth II</a>‘s private collection, and a striking cross necklace and matching pearl earrings that were gifts from Edward.</p>
<p id=”par-8_74″>According to Guides For Brides, the duchess’s second dress for her reception was actually hidden underneath her wedding gown to remain a secret. It had long sleeves, a plunging neckline, and a sparkly waist. As for Prince Edward, he wore a traditional morning suit which he paired with a purple and yellow tie with cats on it. Some royal fans may recall seeing the prince wearing that same tie at Harry and Meghan’s wedding.</p>
<p id=”par-9_74″>Guides for Brides’ Nikita Thorne explained: “Every royal wedding will undoubtedly set trends, from fashion to styling. While Sophie and Edward’s wedding was still a very lavish affair, there was nowhere near as much pomp and ceremony as the weddings of senior royals. While still a very luxurious day, their wedding felt attainable and couples were able to easily borrow ideas for their own day, even if they couldn’t afford the full royal treatment.”</p>