Prince Edward and Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones announced their engagement on 6 January 1999 and were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 19 June 1999. Upon their marriage Miss Rhys-Jones became known as Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.

In keeping with the tradition of using Welsh gold for Royal wedding rings, the gold for the wedding rings of Their Royal Highnesses came from The Prince Edward mine in Trawnsfynydd, Gwynedd, North Wales.

The Earl and Countess have two children: Lady Louise, who was born on 8 November 2003 and James, Viscount Severn, who was born on 17 December 2007.

View footage of The Earl and Countess of Wessex leaving hospital with their newborn son in December 2007:

The couple decided, with The Queen's agreement, that their children would use the courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an Earl rather than the style Prince or Princess.

On the occasion of their marriage, Their Royal Highnesses founded The Wessex Youth Trust, a grant making organization to help, support and advance registered charities which provide opportunities specifically for children and young people.

These charities represent a huge cross-section of different youth-orientated causes and needs, from hospices, hospital beds and incubators to holiday clubs, sports organisations and outreach programmes; from inner city drop-in centres, child protection training and helplines to drug prevention schemes and sex education; from deaf, blind and speech impaired support groups and special needs libraries, to theatre, dance and music-related groups.

Since 1999 donations have been made to over 154 charities, both in the UK and internationally. For more information see www.wessexyouthtrust.org.uk