Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor’s fairytale wedding photos unearthed

When both of their daughters were born, in 2013 and 2016 respectively, the couple shared the details of the births with HELLO!, too. Both girls are, according to Sophie, talented actresses – and may one day follow in their mother’s footsteps, given that she is “perfectly happy” for them to pursue a career similar to hers.

As Frederick and Sophie celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss, we look back at where it all began for the couple – in the grand grounds of Hampton Court Palace.

Despite their royal status, Sophie and Frederick opted for a relatively low-key welcome lunch and ceremony (as far as royal weddings go, that is). The day commenced with an intimate luncheon hosted by the groom’s godmother, Lady Annabel Goldsmith, at her home, Ormeley Lodge in Richmond, for the bride and her friends – post-ceremony, this was to be the venue for the buffet dinner-dance that evening.

The bride left for Hampton Court accompanied by a four-car convoy – where her groom eagerly awaited her arrival. She was accompanied by police outriders, and a police helicopter hovered overhead.

The bride and groom exchanged vows in the opulent Chapel Royal, which was built by Cardinal Wolsey some 500 years ago. The chapel is steeped in royal history; the spectacular vaulted ceiling was installed by none other than Henry VIII. Friends and family, including Princess Eugenie and the entire Kent family, stood beneath the blue and gold embellished ceiling as they watched the heartfelt service. The Bishop of London and close family friend of the Kents, Richard Chartres, officiated the wedding.

It’s safe to say that the bride more than looked the part in an elegant silk beaded dress by Anna Bystrova of Roza Couture. According to the designer, Sophie was undeniably regal wearing the gown, like “a princess from a fairy tale”. The dress featured lace sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and 35m of silk hand-embellished with sequins, beads and crystals – a look fit for royalty.

The bride wasn’t the only one who impressed with her sartorial choices on the wedding day. Princess Michael of Kent, the mother of the groom, donned a full-length navy gown with a dazzling family necklace and earrings, which were believed to be wedding presents from the esteemed Lord Mountbatten.

Her daughter, the groom’s sister, Lady Gabriella, opted for a silver-grey off-the-shoulder dress finished with a matching wrap. Meanwhile, the groom – who was 32nd in line to the throne at the time of his wedding – looked dapper in a grey morning suit designed by Hardy Amies paired with a pale-blue tie.

The newlyweds emerged from the chapel into the golden early evening sunlight to make their way to a champagne reception which was held in the largest room in the palace – the Great Hall. This room is a sight to behold; each wall is bedecked with sumptuous tapestries commissioned by King Henry VIII himself.

Guests could not help but admire the palpable love between the newlyweds. “They are just blissfully happy and it’s such a heartwarming sight to see,” commented one female guest.  The Kent’s family spokesperson concurred: “It’s been a beautiful day – perfect English weather and a couple deeply in love.”

In the build-up to their nuptials, Sophie had been so preoccupied with her thriving acting career that she was delighted to leave most of the wedding arrangements to her new mother-in-law, Princess Michael. “I am very grateful for her input,” she told Tatler. “We’d end up doing it in a Starbucks with two people if it was left to me,” she joked.

Ormeley Lodge was the chosen venue for the late-night festivities. Lady Annabel’s home was spectacularly lit up to usher in the arrive of the new Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor – who made a grand entrance by driving up in a Rolls Royce Phantom.

Among the guests at the dinner dance were the likes of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and his wife Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, Princess Alexandra and her son James Ogilvy, and Lady Helen Taylor and the Earl of St Andrews. Guests from the showbiz world also joined in the partying including rock star Bryan Adams, filmmaker Julian Soames and actor Ben Miller. It was a star-studded guest list, to say the least.

By the time the evening had drawn to a close, mainly young guests remained at the party – and they had made their way to the grand marquee on-site, where the best man, Henry Morton Jack, and his band Black Milk played in honour of the newlywed couple.

After their nuptials, Sophie and Frederick had a monumental life change ahead of them.  Shortly after the wedding, they were Los Angeles bound – as a major career break was waiting for Sophie in Hollywood.

The actress had landed an impressive role in NBC’s new comedy series 100 Questions. Meanwhile, Frederick had found a new position in the Californian office of his banking firm, JP Morgan. Later down the line, the couple would eventually go on to welcome their two daughters while living in Los Angeles.