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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones: A Low-Key Royal Wedding

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest child, is marrying his long-time sweetheart, Sophie Rhys-Jones, in a low-key ceremony on Saturday. The couple, who have been dating for six years, prefer a down-to-earth approach to their wedding, with a 45-minute ceremony in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, and a buffet-style dinner where VIPs and friends will queue up together for food. Unlike previous royal weddings, this one promises to be a more intimate and traditional affair, with women guests encouraged to go hatless and the bridesmaids and pageboys being commoners. Despite the lack of pomp and circumstance, the British public is still eager to know if this fourth royal marriage will be one to last.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones have been dating for six years, meeting at a publicity stunt tennis match fund-raiser.
  • The couple has been building their respective businesses, with Edward founding the Ardent Productions television company in 1993 and Sophie co-owning a public-relations agency.
  • The wedding will feature a buffet-style dinner, where VIPs and friends will queue up together for food, and women guests are allowed to go hatless.
  • The couple will make their home in Bagshot Park, a Victorian house with nine bedrooms, five living rooms, and 87 prime acres in Surrey.
  • Prince Edward is seventh in line to the throne, behind his brother Charles and his sons William and Harry.
  • The couple has stated that they intend to continue working at their businesses and making their marriage succeed, with no pressure from the public or royal family.

Statistics:

  • The wedding will feature a 45-minute ceremony in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
  • The couple has been dating for six years.
  • Edward founded the Ardent Productions television company in 1993.
  • Sophie co-owns a public-relations agency.
  • The couple will make their home in Bagshot Park, a Victorian house with nine bedrooms, five living rooms, and 87 prime acres in Surrey.
  • Prince Edward is seventh in line to the throne.
  • The couple has stated that they intend to continue working at their businesses and making their marriage succeed.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, (c) 1999. Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.philly.com/
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services

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