SOME of the most famous royal figures like Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex once lived their lives out of the royal spotlight just like the rest of us, but they were quickly thrust into it when news of their royal relationships broke to the world. Here are eight pictures of royals before they joined the Royal Family.
Royals before they were royal
Express.co.uk has collated pictures of eight famous royal figures before they were famous members of the Royal Family.
(Image: GETTY)
Sophie Rhys-Jones
Prince Edward and PR consultant Sophie Rhys-Jones dated for several years before they finally tied the knot in 1999. The future Countess of Wessex was pictured in 1995 attending an Ascot charity race day in aid of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
(Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle
Prince Harry’s future wife Meghan Markle was a successful actress in the US before she married the Duke in 2018. Here Meghan was pictured attending ELLE’s 6th Annual Women In Television Dinner in Hollywood in 2016.
(Image: GETTY)
Lady Diana Spencer
Shortly before her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in 1981, Lady Diana Spencer was pictured looking shocked as she stalled her red car outside her flat in Earl’s Court.
(Image: GETTY)
Kate Middleton
The future Duchess of Cambridge famously attended the University of St Andrews with Prince William, and she was pictured on the day of their graduation in 2005.
(Image: GETTY)
Mike Tindall
Rugby ace Mike Tindall married the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips in 2011, but he often joined his royal girlfriend at events in the years before they wed. Here Mike is pictured attending a Buckingham Palace reception with Zara and the Queen.
(Image: GETTY)
Sarah Ferguson
In 1992, four years before she married Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson was pictured with her friend Princess Diana at a polo match in Windsor.
(Image: GETTY)
Camilla Parker Bowles
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles had known each other for years before they married in 2005. Here Camilla was pictured chatting to Charles at a polo match in the early 1970s.
(Image: GETTY)
Source: EXPRESS CO UK