Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visit the Tomorrow's People Social Enterprises at St Anselm's Church, Kennington on the Countess's 50th birthday on January 20, 2015 in London. Getty Images/Max Mumby

Prince Edward refused to kiss Sophie, Countess of Wessex, in public after their royal wedding ceremony in 1999.

At that time, photographers urged the newlyweds to kiss each other on the lips so that they could capture the moment. In the previous years, Prince Charles and Princess Diana kissed in front of thousands of people who were standing outside St. Paul’s Cathedral.

It was previously revealed that Prince Andrew was the one who urged Prince Charles and Princess Diana to kiss each other so that they could make royal fans happy.

But years after the couple tied the knot, Prince Edward and Sophie opted to not follow in their footsteps. And the reason behind his decision is quite simple.

According to Hello! Magazine, Prince Edward and Sophie’s royal wedding were considered a private event. Even though thousands of royal fans waited for them outside the chapel, Prince Edward and Sophie felt that they were private citizens because they are not in direct succession to the throne.

But once the couple reached their wedding reception, they finally agreed to kiss each other because the gathering was considered a private event. Prince Edward and Sophie’s family and friends were the only people to have been invited at the afterparty.

“When they left the main room, they gave each other a kiss. It was a great private moment,” one of the wedding guests told the publication.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward and Sophie’s relationship is also very different from the relationship of his older siblings. As of late, it is only the Earl of Wessex that has stayed married to his wife.

Princess Anne was the first of the Queen’s children to get a divorce. Shortly after, Prince Charles announced his divorce from Princess Diana after their four-year trial separation. And in the same year, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson also ended their marriage legally.

Prince Edward, on the other hand, is happily married to Sophie. The couple has been blessed with two children.

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