Duchess Sophie’s final fashion rebellion in leg-split gown days before royal wedding

She is the picture of poise at any royal event, and while we love how the Duchess of Edinburgh’s royal style has evolved over the years, sometimes we can’t help but take serious style inspiration from days gone by. 

The former PR representative had quite the glitzy wardrobe before tying the knot with Prince Edward in 1999. 

Just over a week before her nuptials at St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle, the bride-to-be stepped out in the spangled dress of dreams at The Guildhall in London For The Duke of Edinburgh Awards World Fellowship Ball.

The dress in question was in an elegant charcoal grey colour with a black neckline; the ankle-length gown was adorned with hundreds of sparkles and complete with a dramatic leg split and a subtle open neck. 

Sophie paired her dazzling dress with black sling-back pointed-toe heels and sheer tights, the perfect combination to let her dress do all the talking.

As for her hair, Sophie was rocking a quintessentially 90s crop, which was blow-dried immaculately. 

Meanwhile, the groom-to-be Prince Edward looked suave in a black suit and bow tie. 

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Sophie and Edward’s love story

Sophie Rhys-Jones first met the Prince at Capital Radio in 1987, though his relationship with her friend meant romance had to wait. 

The pair reconnected six years later in 1993 at a charity function. By then, Sophie was a public relations executive co-leading RJH Public Relations with partner Murray Harkin.

© Tim Graham

Soon after, Edward and Sophie began dating, and it wasn’t long before rumours swirled that things were becoming serious between them after the royal brought his new flame to royal weddings and events.

It wasn’t until January 1999, when they were both 34 years old, that they announced the joyful news that they were engaged.

© Getty

Edward presented his future wife with an exquisite Asprey and Garrard white gold ring featuring a two-carat oval diamond surrounded by two heart-shaped gemstones, rumoured to be worth £105,000.

The couple tied the knot the summer after their engagement, marrying at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank would go on to do in 2018.