Prince Edward was born the third son and final child of the Royal couple on March 10^th 1964 at Buckingham Palace, London. From birth, he was known as His Royal Highness The Prince Edward.Edwards’s education was administered at the palace by a governess until he was seven years old at which time he attended Gibbs School in London and Heatherdown Prep School at Ascot, Berkshire. As with his father, Prince Philip and his older brother Prince Charles before him, he went on to Gordonstoun School in Scotland. His university days were spent at Jesus College at Cambridge. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Edwards’s next career move was to join the Marines in 1996 but after just one year he resigned his commission as Second-Lieutenant, after finding life in the Marines too demanding. After leaving the services he showed an interest in the theater and joined Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Really Useful Theatre Company’ and during his time with the group he worked on the productions of ‘Cats’, 'Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Starlight Express’.

With his experience in the theater Prince Edward established his own business, ‘Ardent’ which mainly produced documentaries and dramas but before long he was under the media spotlight himself for utilizing his connection with the royal family for his own business and financial benefit.

In June 1999, after a short engagement, the Prince married Sophie Rhys Jones in a ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Sophie was given the title The Countess of Wessex and Edward was to be officially known as The Earl of Wessex. At this time both Edward and Sophie came under criticism for their involvement in their own businesses which were fueled by their connections with the royal family and both resigned their positions and concentrated their efforts on charitable and royal causes.

On November 8^th 2003 the Palace announced the arrival of the couple’s first born child, a daughter, Lady Louise Windsor who resides with Edward and Sophie at their home in Bagshot Park Surrey.

ABB