The Earl and Countess of Wessex shortly after the birth of Lady Louise
© The Earl and Countess of Wessex

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Miss Rhys-Jones met Prince Edward at a real tennis event in the summer of 1993. The couple announced their engagement in January 1999, and the wedding ceremony took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Saturday, 19 June 1999.

On the day of the wedding, it was announced that The Queen had conferred the titles of The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn upon Prince Edward. Upon her marriage, therefore, Miss Rhys-Jones became Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.

It was also announced that any children the couple might have would not use the title HRH, but instead would carry a courtesy title as the sons or daughters of an Earl.

Their Royal Highnesses have a young daughter, Lady Louise, who was born on 8 November 2003 and a baby son, Viscount Severn, who was born on 17 December 2007.