Sophie Countess of Wessex: How change Queen made for Sophie paved way for Kate ...

Sophie and Prince Edward married 20 years ago in their royal wedding at Windsor in June 1999. They welcomed their children Lady Louise in 2003 and James, Viscount Severn in 2007 – and, in many ways, their romance paved the way for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's natural inclusion within the Royal Family. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward, in her 1995 book “Prince Edward” relates how Edward took an unprecedented step early on in his relationship with Sophie that would go on to be mirrored by Prince William and Prince Harry. 

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Ms Seward writes: “The failures of the marriages of his beloved sister Anne and then, in rapid and ever more embarrassing succession, Andrew and Charles, made him even more determined to put caution before commitment.”

When rumours circulated in December 1993 that he and Sophie were planning on marrying, the prince issued an usual statement to the press.

It read: “I am taking this unusual step of writing to you directly in the hopes of stopping your reporters and photographers from destroying that part of my life that I am entitled to regard as private and more importantly, Sophie’s life.” 

The move mirrors both Prince William and Prince Harry’s actions in the early days of their romances with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.

Meghan Markle; Sophie Countess of Wessex; Kate MiddletonSophie COuntess of Wessexpaved the way for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle (Image: Getty)

Earl and Countess of Wessex with Lady Louise and James Viscount SevernSophie and Edward with their children Louise and James at this year's Trooping the Colour (Image: getty)

Prince William used similar language in 2007, when, just like with Sophie and Edward, rumours about an impending engagement announcement surfaced.

The prince’s spokesman  said: "Prince William is very unhappy at the paparazzi harassment of his girlfriend.

"He wants, more than anything, for it to stop.

"Miss Middleton should, like any other private individual, be able to go about

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