Sophie Wessex had a strict wedding day dress code – but Queen ignored it

Prince Edward married Sophie Wessex at St George’s Chapel in Windsor exactly 23 years ago – and the couple are said to have set a style rule for their guests

It’s a very special day for Sophie Wessex and her husband Prince Edward – their wedding anniversary.

They tied the knot exactly 23 years ago today in 1999 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in what has been described as an ‘informal’ marriage at which the royals came into force.

Sophie looked stunning in a Samantha Shaw wedding dress and was allowed to wear a tiara from the Queen’s private collection.

And the more relaxed nature of the wedding meant the couple imposed a less formal dress code – and they asked their guests to wear formal wear and avoid hats.

However, it seems some royals have seemed to bend those rules slightly – with one family member apparently eschewing them altogether.

Pictures from the day show the mother of the groom, the queen, wearing a delicate lilac fascinator in her hair.

While the groom’s sister, Princess Anne, opted for a little green hair accessory.

However, when it came to Edward’s grandmother, the late Queen Mother, she still wore a hat – although the couple may have been delighted that she did so, as she was rarely seen in public without a hat.

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After their wedding ceremony at St George’s Chapel, the couple enjoyed a carriage ride around Windsor before heading to their reception at St George’s Hall.

When Sophie married into the royal family more than 20 years ago, some eyebrows were raised when she was not crowned duchess.

Unlike her sister-in-law Camilla and her nephew Kate’s wife, Sophie received the title of Countess of Wessex when she tied the knot with Prince Edward in 1999.

Her title came when Edward was given the name Earl of Wessex on marriage by his mother, the Queen.

However, the couple may be set on changes to their titles as Earl and Countess in the future – but they’ll have to wait at least until Edward’s older brother, Prince Charles, becomes king.

At the time of Edward and Sophie’s wedding, it was announced that he would one day succeed his father as Duke of Edinburgh, with the blessings of the late Prince Philip and the Queen.

If that happens, that would in turn make Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh – a courtesy title borne by the Queen.