The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have released a new portrait to mark their silver wedding anniversary.
Taken in the gardens of their home at Bagshot Park in Windsor, the couple posed as they celebrate 25 years of marriage.
A few hours later, the couple took to the official Royal Family social media accounts to share a special message. The Duke and Duchess said ”We are so grateful for the many kind and lovely messages we have received on our Silver Wedding Anniversary.”
And there was another sweet message from Edward and Sophie who said ”Wishing everyone who is celebrating their own anniversaries a special day too.”
It was accompanied by another new portrait by Chris Jeff who photographed the couple at their home at Bagshot Park last week, just ahead of their anniversary.
Edward and Sophie were married on 19 June 1999 and began their royal lives as the Earl and Countess of Wessex. The couple had not anticipated carrying out full time royal duties, however they decided to quit their careers and become full-time royals in 2002.
After 20 years of supporting the late Queen Elizabeth II and the late Duke of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie are key supporters for King Charles and Queen Camilla.
On their wedding day, it was announced that Edward would, one day, become Duke of Edinburgh, the title held for so long by his father. However, this couldn’t happen until Charles III had become king. On Edward’s birthday in 2023, just a few months into the new reign, the couple became the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Earlier this year, Sophie paid tribute to her husband on his 60th birthday, saying that she was “so proud to be married” to him.
She continued: “He has been my guide and shown me the way over the years. He has given me much help and advice (not always taken I admit), and his knowledge and instincts that have been honed over decades of service are invaluable—so we share speech notes (not this one, sorry darling!), chat through issues our patronages may be tackling, and together I think we make quite a good team.”
Sophie concluded, “He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend.”
The couple share two children, Lady Louise, who was born in 2003, and James, Earl of Wessex, who was born in 2007.
