The royal wedding that was watched more at the time than the Sussexes’ - and no, it’s not Prince William and Kate’s!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was reportedly watched less at the time than another huge royal wedding decades earlier


There’s a surprising royal wedding that was watched more at the time than the Sussexes’ big day - and it’s not Prince William and Kate Middleton’s.
- Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex’s wedding in 1999 was reportedly watched by an average of 14.8 million in the UK compared to the Sussexes’ 11.5 million.
- Although Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding has since surpassed this it might surprise some that the Wessexes’ wedding was bigger viewing-wise at the time.
- This royal news comes as Prince William and Kate Middleton made a major social media change after a significant announcement.
There’s nothing quite like a royal wedding and although it’s been a while since the last one broadcast to fans at home, many of us can’t help looking back at the ones that have gone before. From Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding at Westminster Abbey to the late Queen Elizabeth marrying Prince Philip there've been some magical moments. Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day was another iconic occasion in recent years, it seems that there was another royal wedding that was watched more at the time.
The youngest of the Queen’s children, Prince Edward, married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle just like the Sussexes did 19 years later. According to Hello!, when Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, an estimated combined audience of 14.8 million allegedly watched.
However, The Telegraph reported in 2018 that the average viewership for Prince Harry and Meghan’s big day across the BBC and ITV was 11 million with a further 500,000 apparently tuning in via Sky News, BBC News and Sky One. This suggests that approximately 11.5 million people in the UK watched overall.
Of course, with US viewers estimated at 29 million according to Nielsen, the overall viewing figures globally would be far higher. Meanwhile, streaming-wise Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding has now reached 38 million views on the Royal Family’s official YouTube channel since then.
Despite this, it might still come as a fairly huge surprise to fans that Prince Edward and Sophie’s wedding was supposedly watched by millions more in the UK.
Both were significant occasions as the grooms were the Queen’s son and grandson respectively, however Meghan is a famous figure in her own right internationally. There was also a huge level of media scrutiny leading up to the Sussexes’ big day, not to mention a lot of US celebrities were invited.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Many people were likely also intrigued to compare their nuptials with the Wales’ wedding (apparently watched by 17 million at the time). Even so, it seems that Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex’s wedding attracted more public attention in the UK.
The couple walked down the aisle in 1999 after six years together and it was announced that they would be known as the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
A statement released ahead of their wedding also suggested that the couple could possibly receive another title one day too.
“The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have also agreed that the Prince Edward should be given the Dukedom of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title held now by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown,” it reportedly declared.
All these years later the Earl and Countess of Wessex are set to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary in June 2023 and remain prominent working royals, supporting King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Want to instantly boost your home’s kerb appeal? Try these tricks
Try these simple yet stylish kerb appeal upgrades to transform your home
By Natalie Denton Published
-
Iconic celebrities who know how to style a trench coat with ease
Sophisticated, versatile and oh-so-chic, there's no denying the power of a great trench. Just ask these stylish celebs...
By Anna Paul Published
-
What Missoma earrings does Kate Middleton have? The two affordable go-tos the Princess of Wales wears on repeat
The Princess of Wales has an extensive royal jewellery collection but her affordable Missoma pieces are some of her most-worn
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Duchess Sophie looks epic in camo and cool walking boots as she gets stuck in for day at army centre
The Duchess of Edinburgh showed that functionality and style can go hand in hand as she stepped out in her sturdy walking boots
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's pancake confession is one of the most relatable royal food revelations we've heard
The Princess of Wales once put her pancake flipping skills to the test at engagement and made a candid admission
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's pink gingham blouse was the chicest baking outfit ever - now it's back for spring we're picking it up
The Princess of Wales' Brora gingham blouse sold out when she wore it back in 2022 but we've noticed it's back right now
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince George, Charlotte and Louis 'fascinated' by mum Kate Middleton’s discovery near Anmer Hall
The Princess of Wales has reportedly impressed her children with a discovery since she started pursuing a new hobby in Norfolk
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton just re-styled a blazer from 2007 - and proved that good investment pieces never fail
The Princess of Wales brought back her Ralph Lauren blazer for a visit to Pontypridd and it looked just as chic this time around
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton braves the rain in fiery red coat and sumptuous brown knit as she makes subtle accessory switch-up
The Princess of Wales visited Wales wearing her fabulous scarlet Alexander McQueen coat with classic chocolate brown staples
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's opinion of Prince William's beard couldn't be more different to Charlotte's
The Prince of Wales's new beard has attracted plenty of attention and his wife and daughter's opinions weren't initially aligned
By Emma Shacklock Published