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Sophie, Countess of Wessex

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"Countess of Wessex" redirects here. For the title, see Earl of Wessex.
Sophie
Sophie, Countess of Wessex aged 48
The Countess in 2013
Countess of Wessex (more)
Personal details
Born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones
20 January 1965(1965-01-20) (age 59)
Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, United Kingdom
Spouse(s) Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
(m. 1999)

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, GCVO DStJ  (born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones; 20 January 1965) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

She grew up in Brenchley, Kent and later attended West Kent College, training as a secretary. She subsequently began working in public relations, representing firms across the UK, Switzerland, and Australia before opening her own agency in 1996. She met Edward in 1987 while working for Capital Radio, and they began dating in 1993. Their engagement was announced in January 1999, and they were married on 19 June at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The couple have two children: Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, who are respectively fourteenth and thirteenth in line to the British throne.

In 2002, Sophie closed her business interests and began full-time work as a member of the royal family. She is the patron of over 70 charities and organisations, including Childline and the London College of Fashion. Sophie undertakes over 200 engagements each year, including visits to schools, universities, and military bases.[1][2] Her charity work primarily revolves around people with disabilities, women's rights, avoidable blindness, and agriculture.

Early life and career[]

Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones was born at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, on 20 January 1965 into a middle-class family.[3][4][5] Her father, Christopher Bournes Rhys-Jones (born 1931), is a retired sales director for an importer of industrial tyres and rubber goods.[6] Her mother was Mary (née O'Sullivan; 1934–2005), a charity worker and secretary.[7][8] She has an elder brother, David (born 1963), and was named after her father's sister, Helen, who died in a riding accident in 1960. Her godfather, actor Thane Bettany, was her father's stepbrother;[9] both men spent their early life in Sarawak, North Borneo, then a British Protectorate ruled by the White Rajahs.[10] She descends from King Henry IV of England and is related to the family of the Viscounts Molesworth; her grandmother, Margaret Rhys-Jones, née Molesworth, was the great-granddaughter of the Rev. John Molesworth, himself the father of Sir Guilford Molesworth and the great-grandson of Robert Molesworth, 1st Viscount Molesworth.[11][12][13]

Rhys-Jones was raised in a four-bedroom 17th-century farmhouse in Brenchley, Kent. She began her education at Dulwich Preparatory School, before moving on to Kent College, Pembury, where she was friends with Sarah Sienesi, with whom she subsequently shared a flat in Fulham and who later became her lady-in-waiting. Rhys-Jones then trained as a secretary at West Kent College, Tonbridge.[14]

She began a career in public relations, working for a variety of firms, including four years at Capital Radio,[15] where she was assigned to the press and promotions department, as well as public relations companies The Quentin Bell Organisation and MacLaurin Communications & Media.[16] She also worked as a ski representative in Switzerland and spent a year travelling and working in Australia. In 1996, Rhys-Jones launched her public relations agency, RJH Public Relations, which she ran with her business partner, Murray Harkin, for five years.[16][17]

Marriage and children[]

Further information: Wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones
The Earl and Countess of Wessex

The Earl and Countess of Wessex at Trooping the Colour in June 2013

While working at Capital Radio, Rhys-Jones met Prince Edward, the youngest son of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, for the first time in 1987 when he was dating her friend.[18] She met Prince Edward again at a charity event in 1993, and the two began their relationship soon afterwards.[19] Their engagement was announced on 6 January 1999.[20] Edward proposed to her with an engagement ring featuring a two-carat oval diamond flanked by two heart-shaped gemstones set in 18-carat white gold. The ring was made by Asprey and Garrard (now Garrard & Co) and is worth an estimated £105,000.[21] Sophie, who was reportedly close to the Queen from the beginning of her relationship with Edward, was allowed to use the royal apartments at Buckingham Palace prior to her engagement.[22]

The wedding took place on 19 June of the same year at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, a break from the weddings of Edward's older siblings, which were large, formal events at Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral.[23] On the day of their marriage, Prince Edward was created a hereditary peer as Earl of Wessex with the subsidiary title of Viscount Severn (derived from the Welsh roots of the Countess's family).[24] It is understood that he will be elevated as Duke of Edinburgh when that title reverts to the Crown.[24] The couple spent their honeymoon at Balmoral Castle.[23] Following their union, the Earl and Countess moved to Bagshot Park, their home in Surrey.[25] While their private residence is Bagshot Park, their office and official London residence is based at Buckingham Palace.[26] Due to renovations at Buckingham Palace in 2018, the couple temporarily moved their offices to St James's Palace.[27]

In December 2001, the Countess was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital after feeling unwell. It was discovered that she was suffering from an ectopic pregnancy and the foetus had to be removed.[28] Two years later, on 8 November 2003, she prematurely gave birth to her daughter, Lady Louise, resulting from a sudden placental abruption that placed both mother and child at risk, and the Countess had to undergo an emergency caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital, while the Earl of Wessex rushed back from Mauritius.[29] The Countess returned to Frimley Park Hospital on 17 December 2007, to give birth, again by caesarean section, to her son, James, Viscount Severn.[30]

Public life[]

Queen's Birthday Parade 2012 - Prince Edward

The Earl and Countess at the Queen's Birthday in 2012

The Countess of Wessex's first overseas tour after her marriage was to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island in 2000.[31]

In December 2011, the Countess of Wessex joined her husband visiting troops in Afghanistan. In February and March 2012, the Earl and Countess visited the Caribbean for the Diamond Jubilee, visiting Saint Lucia, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda. Highlights of the tour included the 50th Anniversary Independence Day celebrations in Saint Lucia, a joint address from both houses of the Barbados Parliament and a visit to sites affected by the recent volcanic eruptions in Montserrat.[32] In June 2012, as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, represented the Queen during a three-day tour to Gibraltar. The couple attended a Queen's Birthday Parade and toured Main Street, in the historic old town.[33]

In 2013, the couple visited South Africa. Later that year, the Countess made solo trips to India and Qatar as the patron of the sight-saving charity Orbis UK.[22][34][35] She made a similar visit to Bangladesh in November 2017.[36] The Countess, as Colonel-in-Chief of Corps of Army Music, visited The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra at the Royal Artillery Barracks, in London. On 3 March 2014, the Queen approved the title of "The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra" for the new Army String Orchestra in recognition of the Corps of Army Music's Colonel-in-Chief.[37] In November 2014, the Countess was in Zambia representing the Queen at the State funeral of the late President of Zambia, Michael Sata.[38]

The Countess of Wessex, Cheshire Show (2015)

Sophie attending The Royal Cheshire County Show in 2015

On 26 March 2015, she attended the reburial of Richard III of England in Leicester Cathedral.[39] In May 2015, the Countess represented the Queen in the 70th anniversary celebrations to mark the Liberation Day of the Channel Islands. The Countess delivered a message from the Queen, who paid tribute to the island's continued allegiance and loyalty to the Crown.[40] The Countess visited Canada and the United States in November 2015. While in Toronto, she criss-crossed across the city, making stops at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the UHN's Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, of which she is patron. Sophie then travelled to New York City, paying an emotional visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The Countess also made an appearance at an Armistice Day service at the Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden, which was opened in commemoration of the 67 British victims of the attack. The Countess later attended the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala dinner in Manhattan.[41][42]

The Earl and Countess of Wessex toured Canada in June 2016, visiting Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The couple visited a variety of places in and around Regina, Saskatchewan before attending the Globe Theatre's 50th anniversary gala.[43] In March 2017, the Countess embarked on a 4-day visit to Malawi as Vice-Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, visiting programmes to end avoidable blindness and champion young leaders.[44] On 9 May 2017, the Countess attended King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway's 80th Birthday Celebrations on behalf of the royal family.[45][46] The Earl and Countess of Wessex represented the Queen at the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's Accession to the Throne of Brunei in October 2017.[47] On 30 November 2017, the Countess visited the 'Making for Change' fashion training and manufacturing unit, a fashion training and manufacturing unit established by the Ministry of Justice and London College of Fashion at HM Prison Downview as patron of the London College of Fashion During her visit, the Countess met staff and prisoners, including female inmates, and awarded participants with certificates as part of their training programme.[48][49]

The Countess of Wessex, Titanic Belfast, 2018 (5)

The Countess in Belfast in 2018

An avid supporter of charities that deal with learning disabilities, the Countess made a solo trip to Belfast in January 2018 to visit a number of charities that she had supported through her work over the last decade, including Mencap's children's centre.[50] She also opened the new dementia-friendly unit of Northern Ireland Hospice, the first of its kind in the UK.[50] The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited Sri Lanka in February 2018 to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Independence, Sri Lanka–United Kingdom relations, the Commonwealth, education and young people.[51] In October 2018, the Earl and Countess of Wessex toured the Baltic states.[52][53]

In March 2019, the Countess travelled to New York City to attend the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The annual event brought together more than 9,000 gender equality representatives from around the world. The CSW is "the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women."[54] From 29 April to 3 May 2019, the Countess, Vice-Patron of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, visited India in her final overseas tour as vice-patron ahead of the Trust's planned closure in January 2020. The Countess saw the work the charitable foundation has supported to tackle avoidable blindness and heard about programmes successfully launched by Queen's Young Leaders.[55]

In July 2019, the Earl and Countess, visited Forfar on their first official visit to the town since the Queen granted the Earl the additional title Earl of Forfar in March 2019.[56] Later in October, the Countess visited Kosovo to meet victims of sexual violence after the Kosovo War and their families.[57] In March 2020, Sophie became the first member of the royal family to visit South Sudan. During the visit, which was requested by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Countess of Wessex met victims and survivors of gender-based violence and promoted their rights by meeting the female political leaders in the country.[58]

Charity work and patronage[]

PSVI Film Festival Fighting Stigma Through Film (45997834121)

The Countess at the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Film Festival. Much of her charity work involves women's rights.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex established their foundation The Wessex Youth Trust in 1999 to support initiatives and charities that help children and young people.[59] After twenty years of operation, the Wessex Youth Trust was renamed the Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust in 2019 and its management was transferred to the Private Office of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. It was announced that the Trust's broad charitable objectives would not change, however, their future efforts would be aimed towards supporting a different range of charities.[60]

In 2000, she became patron of a number of organisations, including Foundation of Light (formerly Sunderland A.F.C Foundation) which develops educational and community programmes in northern England, based around football.[61] Moved by the death of her friend Jill Dando in 1999, the Countess became a trustee of UCL Jill Dando Institute, an institute of crime science established in her name in 2001.[62] As a full-time member of the royal family, park of her focus became charities that dealt with communications difficulties, including Southampton General Hospital, and the New Haven Trust in Toronto, a learning centre for children with autism.[62] In 2003, shehe became patron of Tomorrow's People Trust, which helps the disadvantaged to find work, housing and a place in society.[62] In February 2003, Countess became patron and ambassador of Meningitis Now, a charity that supports meningitis patients and raises awareness of the disease.[63] Later that month, she became patron to The Scar Free Foundation, a medical research charity coordinating funds in wound healing, burns and cleft research.[64] In 2003, she succeeded Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as patron of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.[65]

The Countess, who was a Brownie as a child, became the new president of Girlguiding UK in 2003, following the death of Princess Margaret in February 2002.[66] She established the Women in Business Group in 2003 to support the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and reach more young people to help them develop skills that can transform their futures.[67] The Countess became president of the Brainwave Centre in 2003, a charity providing therapy for children with developmental delay.[68] In June 2003, she became patron of the Greater London Fund for the Blind, which raises funds for smaller charities for visually impaired people in London.[69] In August 2003, the Countess received patronage of the National Autistic Society, passed down from The Princess Royal.[70] In 2004, she joined St John Ambulance as Grand President, and heads the work of St John's County Presidents, who provide a variety of support for their local St John members.[71] She was associated with ChildLine for many years, preceding her appointment as their first ever royal patron in 2005.[72] In 2006, she lent her support to the Born in Bradford research project, which investigated causes of low birth weight and infant mortality between 2007 and 2010.[73][74] In September 2006, she was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.[75]

The Countess is a supporter of agriculture, farming and food production and held the position of Show President of the Royal Bath and West Show in 2010 before becoming Vice Patron in 2011.[76] She is also patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations[77] and has been Patron of The Border Union Agricultural Society since its bicentennial year in 2012.[78] The Countess works to support the 'Campaign for Wool', which was set up by The Prince of Wales, and aims to promote the use of British wool.[79] During her 2013 trips to India, and Qatar, the Countess visited numerous facilities in her capacity as patron of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight and ambassador for IAPB, in order to raise awareness about preventable blindness. Her work on the issue has been described as influential in creating the Qatar Creating Vision initiative.[34] In 2013, the Countess became the first ever patron of the London College of Fashion.[80] In June 2013, she was appointed global ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, an umbrella body co-ordinating organisations running The Duke of Edinburgh's Award worldwide.[81] She has been the founder and chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Women's Network Forum since January 2014, whose goal is the advancement of gender balance and equality by influencing business leaders, inspiring the next generation and sharing best practice.[67] In June 2014, the Countess was appointed the patron of Ubunye Foundation, based in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, a rural development trust dedicated to unlocking the potential of rural communities.[82]

On the Countess's 50th birthday, she became Vice-Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, a charitable foundation established in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.[83] The Trust was a time-limited foundation and closed on 31 January 2020.[84] In February 2015, the Queen gave a joint reception to celebrate the 50th birthdays of the Earl and Countess, as well as their the patronages and affiliations, at Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth, accompanied by the couple, met key supporters, staff, volunteers and alumnus from the charities of their patronage and presidency, as well as representatives from their various military appointments.[85] In November 2015, 100 Women in Hedge Funds announced that the Countess will serve as Global Ambassador of 100WF's Next Generation initiatives.[86] In September 2016, the Countess took part in a cycling challenge from the Holyrood Palace to Buckingham Palace for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Diamond Challenge. The ride raised more than £180,000 for the Award, which was celebrating its 60th anniversary. The Countess received a diamond pin to mark her completion of the Diamond Challenge.[87][88] Linking Environment And Farming named the Countess as its new Honorary President in October 2016.[89] In November 2016, she was announced as Women of the Future's official ambassador, which supports and celebrates the successes of young women.[90] In December 2016, the Countess participated in ICAP charity day in order to raise money for Shooting Star Chase,[91] a children's hospice of which she is patron.[92] During the same month. after the Queen stepped down from her position as patron of numerous charities, Sophie replaced her as the principal patron of NSPCC, Blind Veterans UK and British Cycling Federation.[93][94][95]

The Countess was elected president of the Devon County Agricultural Association in February 2017.[96] In May 2017, as patron of the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association the Countess attended its 90th anniversary and commemorative athlete awards dinner.[97] The Ice Maiden, five British Army women, received royal patronage from the Countess for their ambitious coast-to-coast ski expedition across Antarctica in October 2017. The team aimed to inspire women and girls everywhere to challenge perceptions and grow their ambitions.[98][99] In January 2018, the Countess became the Royal Patron of the Nursing Memorial Appeal. The Appeal aims to create a memorial dedicated to the 1,500 nurses who gave their lives in First and Second World Wars.[100] In February 2018, Westmorland Agricultural Society welcomed the Countess as its president.[101] In January 2019, the Countess became the patron of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which saved her life during her ectopic pregnancy in 2001.[102] On 29 January, the Countess was elected President of The Royal Smithfield Club, which promotes the education and knowledge to advance best practice in the meat and livestock industry.[103] On International Women's Day March 2019, the Countess officially announced her involvement in taking a stand against sex crimes in conflict zones, joining Angelina Jolie to work with the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) as well as Women, Peace and Security (WPS) formed 20 years ago to tackle the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, and to promote the positive role women play in building peace and stability.[104] On 25 April 2019, it was announced that the Countess, along with her husband, the Earl of Wessex and her brother-in-law, the Duke of York, have each been appointed vice president of the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show.[105] In May 2019, she took over the patronage of the Chartered Management Institute from the Duke of Edinburgh.[106]

In April 2020, the Countess helped Rhubarb, a catering company, in preparing and delivering food to NHS staff amidst the coronavirus pandemic. It was later reported that she was participating in an initiative organised by Ian Wace to help with preparing food for front-line NHS staff across London.[107] To mark the International Nurses Day in May 2020, the Countess helped the Nourish our Nurses charity group with packing and delivering food for nurses and healthcare staff.[108] The Countess has also volunteered at local food banks, including the Hope Hub, in Surrey and delivered parcels to the homeless during the pandemic.[109] In September 2020, Sophie, alongside her husband and children, participated in the Great British Beach Clean at Southsea Beach in support of the Marine Conservation Society.[110][111] In October 2020, the Earl and Countess visited community engagement programmes in London to commemorate Black History Month.[112] In November 2020, Sophie presented a Commonwealth Points of Light Award on behalf of the Queen during a digital Women Mediators across the Commonwealth Network forum.[113]

In February 2021, as the Grand President of St John Ambulance, the Countess started working as a care volunteer at an NHS vaccination centre.[114]

Public image and style[]

At the start of her relationship with Prince Edward, Sophie was referred to as "the girl next door", and noted for her successful career and ordinary background.[115] In the early years of her marriage, Sophie faced public scrutiny for her business interests, and was often compared to the late Princess of Wales, who had died two years earlier.[116][117][118] On her transition to becoming a full-time royal, she later stated: "Certainly it took me a while to find my feet. The frustration was I had to reduce my expectations of what I could actually do. I couldn't turn up at a charity and go, right, I think you should be doing this, because that's what I was used to doing in my working life. I had to take a really big step back and go, OK, they want you to be the icing on the cake, the person to come in to thank their volunteers and funders, not necessarily to tell them how to run their communications plan."[119]

The Countess has since been cited as an under-the-radar "stabilizing influence" and a "safe pair of hands".[119][120] She has been said to have a low-key approach to royal engagements, and often drives herself to and from events.[121] Amanda Pullinger stated to Town and Country, "She actually presents herself as an ordinary person and I think that is increasingly what the royal family needs to do."[122] She has also been noted for her long-term work on "gritty" subject matters such as gender-based violence in conflict, and trips to "difficult areas", such as South Sudan and Sierra Leone.[121][123] The Countess's engagements gained significant attention from the public post-Megxit, with her charity work and style choices receiving increased commentary and analysis.[124][125] Writer Ingrid Seward states that the Countess "is not a self-publicist....She looks good, without being over-the-top, and she's not craving celebrity. You often wouldn't know she had carried out all those engagements."[126]

The Countess was not initially prominent for her fashion, but eventually began to develop her own style and has worn outfits by many notable designers.[127] The Countess has exclusively worn Jane Taylor millinery designs since 2009 on numerous occasions.[128] In a Marie Claire interview, Taylor described her first royal commission: "My first royal client was the Countess of Wessex, and it was quite nerve-racking. But she wears such lovely clothes and she always looks so fabulous, so it's quite easy to design for her. Since she came to see me, she's never worn any other milliner's hats, which is a big compliment. I was really excited, honored, and slightly nervous."[129] Alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex, Sophie has been named one of the most stylish members of the royal family.[127][130] The Countess is particularly known for wearing different combinations of hats and coats, and favours silk dresses and frocks.[130] Describing her style in an interview by Sunday Express Sophie said: "It's about my charities, but I recognize that I'm on display. [...] When you walk into a room, yes, people are going to talk about what you're doing there, but they're also going to want to know what you're wearing".[131] She also revealed that she has never had a stylist of her own and that she makes her fashion choices herself.[132] In 2015, the Countess was named on Vanity Fair's Best Dressed List.[133] Together with the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess hosted the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange reception at Buckingham Palace during the 2018 London Fashion Week.[134]

Privacy and the media[]

Violation of privacy[]

In May 1999, less than a month before her wedding, The Sun published a photo of a topless Sophie with her Capital Radio colleague Chris Tarrant, which was taken during a business trip to Spain in 1988.[135][136][137] Buckingham Palace immediately issued a statement saying, "This morning's story in The Sun is a gross invasion of privacy and cannot be regarded as in the public interest. It has caused considerable distress."[135][137] Prime Minister Tony Blair also condemned the publication of the photograph.[135][136] The Palace made an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).[135][136] According to Sophie's business partner the incident had left her "distressed", and she was reportedly "devastated" and felt "she was 'letting the side down' before her wedding".[135][137][138] Tarrant later said, "There was never, ever the slightest hint of romance between Sophie and myself, let alone these snidey insinuations."[135] Following its publication, the newspaper issued a statement and apologised to Rhys-Jones[135] and the next issue came out with the headline "Sorry, Sophie".[136] It also said that it would again apologise to Sophie in a letter and donate all sale proceeds of the issue to her charities.[136][139] The photo was sold to the tabloid by Kara Noble, a former friend and colleague of Sophie.[135][136] Noble later apologised in the following months saying, "I just want to say sorry to everyone who was involved."[140] Both she and the newspaper faced criticism from the public,[135] and Noble was fired from her job at Heart 106.2 FM.[137] The couple later decided not to make a formal complaint.[139]

Media sting[]

In April 2001, Sophie appeared in the media after she was misled in a meeting at the Dorchester by a News of the World reporter posing as an Arab sheikh, Mazher Mahmood,[141][142] who was later exposed for perjury in Southwark Crown Court.[143] It was claimed by the newspapers that during their "secretly taped" conversation, the Countess had insulted the royal family and politicians, calling the Queen "old dear", and referring to Cherie Blair as "absolutely horrid, horrid, horrid", as well as criticising the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, and mocking Leader of the Opposition William Hague's appearance.[141][142][144] Tabloid newspapers claimed the Countess had sent apology letters to Blair, Hague and Prince Charles.[141]

Buckingham Palace denied the accuracy of the reports, saying: "The Countess of Wessex, who is trying to pursue her own career, is obviously vulnerable to set-ups such as this."[141] The Palace released a statement saying the reported comments were "selective, distorted and in several cases, flatly untrue".[141] The Palace officials stated that the Countess had not insulted the Queen, the Queen Mother, or the politicians, and the rumours about her difficulties in marriage and her alleged comments about her husband's sexuality were untrue, while according to the Mail on Sunday multiple reliable sources had confirmed these reports.[141] Subsequently, in 2002, both the Earl and Countess announced that they would quit their business interests in order to focus on activities and official engagements on behalf of the royal family and aid the Queen in her Golden Jubilee year.[145]

Jewellery gifts[]

The Countess of Wessex has been criticised for accepting two sets of jewels from the royal family of Bahrain during an official day-long[146] visit to the country in December 2011, as she and her husband returned to the UK from a trip to Afghanistan. She was given one set by Bahrain's king and a second set by the country's prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Her husband, the Earl, received a pen and a watch as well as a silk rug from the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who also gave the countess a silver and pearl cup. The value of the jewellery has not been estimated and its precise contents were not disclosed.[147] Given concern about human rights abuses in Bahrain, this gift attracted controversy, with calls for the jewels to be sold, and the proceeds used for the benefit of the Bahraini people.[148]

Critics said the Countess should sell the gems and give the proceeds to political protesters in Bahrain. Denis MacShane, then a Labour MP and previously a Foreign Office minister, said: "Given the appalling suffering and repression of the Bahraini people, it would be a fitting gesture for the Countess of Wessex to auction these trinkets and distribute the proceeds to the victims of the regime."[147]

Royal family guidelines and procedures relating to gifts published by the government in 2003, state that "before accepting any gift, careful consideration should always be given, wherever practicable, to the donor, the reason for and occasion of the gift and the nature of the gift itself ... Equally, before declining the offer of a gift, careful consideration should be given to any offence that might be caused by such action."[146]

Titles, styles, honours and arms[]

Since her marriage, Sophie has been styled as "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex".[149] On 10 March 2019, the Queen granted the Earldom of Forfar to the Earl of Wessex for use in Scotland. Sophie thus uses the title Countess of Forfar when in Scotland.[150]

Honours[]

See also: List of honours of the British royal family by country

The rose cultivar Rosa 'Countess of Wessex' was named in her honour in 2004.[154][155]

Commonwealth[]

Foreign[]

  • MEX Orden del Aguila Azteca 2011 Banda BAR 2015: Sash of the Order of the Aztec Eagle[158]

Honorary military appointments[]

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, shakes hands with Brig Gen Thomas Deale at Kandahar Airfield

Sophie dressed as Honorary Air Commodore on a visit to Kandahar, December 2011

Canada Canada

United Kingdom United Kingdom

Arms[]

Coat of arms of the Countess of Wessex
Coat of Arms of Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Notes
The Countess bears the arms of her husband impaled with her father's.[160]
Adopted
1999
Coronet
Coronet of a child of the sovereign
Escutcheon
Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed and langed Azure, 2nd Or a lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure within a double tressure flory counterflory of the second, 3rd Azure a harp Or stringed Argent, the whole differenced with a label of three points Argent with the central point charged with a Tudor rose; impaled with a shield quarterly Gules and Azure a lion rampant regardant within an orle Or (for Rhys-Jones).
Supporters
Dexter, a lion rampant gardant Or crowned with the coronet of the rank of a child of the Sovereign proper; Sinister a wyvern Azure, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses pattées and fleurs de lis a chain affixed also Or.
Motto
CAS GŴR NI CHÂR Y WLAD A'I MACO
(Welsh: Hateful the man who loves not the country that nurtured him)
Orders
Other elements
Insignia of GCVO appended
Symbolism
Coat of Arms of Sophie Rhys-Jones
Prior to marriage, Sophie Rhys-Jones had her arms redesigned by the Garter Principal King of Arms Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones, based on a 200-year-old previous coat of arms, which had never been officially recognised. The new grant of arms applied to her father Christopher with remainder to his older brother Theo. The grant alludes to her family's noble Welsh heritage and one of her ancestors the warrior Elystan Glodrydd, Prince of Ferrig (represented by the Lion). The colours of red and blue are also the colours of the Royal Fusiliers Regiment, in which members of her family have served. She is quoted saying: "It's wonderful, I'm absolutely thrilled", "It's not modern and different, because it is representative of my family's heritage, so it's in keeping with that."[160]
Previous versions
Previous versions were depicted without the Royal Victorian Order, to which she was only appointed in 2010, but superimposed upon the badge of the Order St John (as DJStJ). Prior to her marriage, she bore her father's arms on a lozenge only.

Authored articles[]

References[]

  1. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex". https://www.royal.uk/the-countess-of-wessex. 
  2. ↑ "2018 royal work statistics: who's been busy, who's been busier (congrats, Your Maj!)". https://www.macleans.ca/royalty/2018-royal-work-statistics-whos-been-busy-whos-been-busier-congrats-your-maj/. 
  3. ↑ "Background". Royal Household. http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page2719.asp. 
  4. ↑ "How Sophie, Countess of Wessex moved from being a career PR girl to a devoted Royal stalwart". https://www.tatler.com/article/sophie-countess-of-wessex-interview-sunday-times-magazine. "Sophie also came from a middle-class family, her mother a secretary and her father a sales director for a tyre company." 
  5. ↑ "Prince Harry's Aunt Recalls Trying to Help Meghan Markle: 'I Just Hope They Will Be Happy'". https://www.etonline.com/prince-harrys-aunt-recalls-trying-to-help-meghan-markle-i-just-hope-they-will-be-happy-147749. "Sophie, 55, came from a middle class family and worked for a PR firm before she wed Prince Edward." 
  6. ↑ "50 fun facts about Sophie, Countess of Wessex at 50". 20 January 2015. https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/552989/Countess-of-Wessex-50-Birthday-Facts-Sophie-Helen-Rhys-Jones. 
  7. ↑ "PR girl turns princess". BBC. 11 June 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/06/99/royal_wedding/363946.stm. "Mrs Rhys-Jones, a charity worker and secretary, has her own royal connection. As a young woman she once danced with Prince Philip at a society ball." 
  8. ↑ "Countess of Wessex's mother dies". BBC. 29 August 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4194720.stm. 
  9. ↑ Brown, A. (20 January 2015). "Countess of Wessex: 50 fun facts on Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones". UK Daily Express. https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/552989/Countess-of-Wessex-50-Birthday-Facts-Sophie-Helen-Rhys-Jones. "Her Royal Highness has an elder brother, David...Father Christopher [Rhys-Jones], is a retired sales director for an importer of industrial tyres...and [she] was named after her father's sister, Helen, who died in a riding accident in 1960...Sophie Rhys-Jones' Godfather is Thane Bettany – an actor who starred in Doctor Who..." 
  10. ↑ Biography of Paul Bettany Archived 26 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, volume 2, 2003. pages 2720–2731.
  12. ↑ Langton, K. (3 September 2020). "James, Viscount Severn title: The HUGE nod to mum Sophie Wessex in title choice". UK Daily Express. https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1326854/james-viscount-severn-title-sophie-countess-of-wessex-royal-title-news. "Sophie, Countess of Wessex has royal ancestry as a descendant of Henry IV of England...[Sophie] is related to the family of the Viscounts Molesworth; her grandmother Margaret Rhys-Jones, née Molesworth, was the great-granddaughter of the Rev. John Molesworth. Reverend Molesworth was the father of Sir Guilford Molesworth and the great-grandson of Robert Molesworth, 1st Viscount Molesworth." 
  13. ↑ "Sophie's Brush With Greatness". 13 August 2007. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sophies-brush-with-greatness-1168373. "The Countess of Wessex will come face to face with her great great great grandfather the Rev John Edward Nassau Molesworth...her ancestor['s][his] son ...solicitor's firm...set up in 1840 by the Reverend's son [solicitor] John Molesworth..." 
  14. ↑ "PR girl turns princess". BBC News. 11 June 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/06/99/royal_wedding/363946.stm. 
  15. ↑ "Sun apologises to 'devastated' Sophie Rhys-Jones". 26 May 1999. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/may/26/1. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Furness, Hannah (2 July 2012). "Countess of Wessex: the Royal Family's latest style icon?". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9370089/Countess-of-Wessex-the-Royal-Familys-latest-style-icon.html. 
  17. ↑ Lowrie, Margaret (20 June 1999). "How 'sensible' and 'royal wedding' add up to 'yawn'". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/views/y/1999/06/lowrie.royals.jun17/. 
  18. ↑ "Sophie: Life in the spotlight". BBC News. 2 April 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1256202.stm. 
  19. ↑ "History – Prince Edward's wedding (pictures, video, facts & news)". BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/events/prince_edwards_wedding. 
  20. ↑ "Prince Edward announces his engagement". BBC. 24 November 2009. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00g8ypy. 
  21. ↑ "Crown jewels: The fabulous rings which sealed the love of Europe's royal couples". HELLO! magazine. UK. http://royalweddings.helloonline.com/prince-william-and-kate-middleton/galeria/20100922403/kate-middleton/prince-william/rings/1/11/#ancla. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Seward, Ingrid (23 November 2013). "Sophie Wessex: The unsung star of the Royal family". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10469258/Sophie-Wessex-The-unsung-star-of-the-Royal-family.html. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Edward & Sophie". 5 July 1999. http://people.com/archive/cover-story-edward-sophie-vol-51-no-25/. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Wessex titles for Edward and Sophie". BBC News. 19 June 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/06/99/royal_wedding/373120.stm. 
  25. ↑ "The Crown Estate – Property Leases with the Royal Family". Report. National Audit Office (United Kingdom). 2005. http://www.nao.org.uk/report/the-crown-estate-property-leases-with-the-royal-family/. 
  26. ↑ "Royal Residences: Buckingham Palace". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/royal-residences-buckingham-palace. 
  27. ↑ "Earl and the Countess of Wessex to move out of Buckingham Palace". Royal Central. 30 June 2018. http://royalcentral.co.uk/residences/earl-and-countess-of-wessex-to-move-out-of-buckingham-palace-105326. 
  28. ↑ "Baby joy for Sophie and Edward". 6 May 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3003397.stm. 
  29. ↑ "Royal baby born prematurely". BBC News. 8 November 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/8/newsid_3724000/3724342.stm. 
  30. ↑ "Countess gives birth to baby boy". BBC News. 17 December 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7148830.stm. 
  31. ↑ Scott, Burke; Aimers, John (October 2001). "Wessexs' Tour a Triumph". Monarchist League of Canada. http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/2001/wessex.htm. 
  32. ↑ Harris, Carolyn (15 February 2012). "Royals of the Caribbean: The 2012 Diamond Jubilee Commonwealth Tours Begin". royalhistorian.com. http://www.royalhistorian.com/royals-of-the-caribbean-the-2012-diamond-jubilee-commonwealth-tours-begin/. 
  33. ↑ "Earl and Countess of Wessex greeted by overwhelming British patriotism in Gibraltar". hellomagazine.com. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/9324361/Earl-and-Countess-of-Wessex-greeted-by-overwhelming-British-patriotism-in-Gibraltar.html. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Qatar Creating Vision initiative". The Royal Family. https://www.royal.uk/countess-and-qatar-creating-vision-initiative. 
  35. ↑ "Sophie Wessex brings joy to eye patients in India". Hello!. 20 September 2013. https://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2013092014657/sophie-wessex-tour-india-continues/. 
  36. ↑ Shahid, Sharnaz (21 November 2017). "Sophie Wessex shows off her maternal side as she meets locals in Bangladesh". Hello!. https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02017112140216/sophie-wessex-vists-children-bangladesh. 
  37. ↑ "Lunchtime Concert - The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra". classical-music.com. http://www.classical-music.com/event/lunchtime-concert-countess-wessex-s-string-orchestra. 
  38. ↑ "Countess of Wessex arrives for Sata's funeral". lusakavoice.com. http://www.lusakavoice.com/2014/11/10/countess-of-wessex-arrives-for-satas-funeral/. 
  39. ↑ "Richard III: Leicester Cathedral reburial service for king". BBC. 26 March 2015. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-32052800. 
  40. ↑ "Thousands turn out for Liberation Day celebration". bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-32664910. 
  41. ↑ "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visits Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair". ca.hellomagazine.com.. https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02015111320113/sophie-countess-of-wessex-visits-toronto-s-royal-agricultural-winter-fair/. 
  42. ↑ "Sophie Wessex pays emotional visit to 9/11 memorial in New York". ca.hellomagazine.com.. https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2015111228193/sophie-wessex-attends-9-11-memorial/. 
  43. ↑ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit Canada". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/earl-and-countess-wessex-visit-canada. 
  44. ↑ "Trust Vice-Patron to visit Malawi in Commonwealth Week to see the work of the Trust". jubileetribute.org. http://www.jubileetribute.org/news/2017/trust-vice-patron-to-visit-malawi-in-commonwealth-week-to-see-the-work-of-the-trust. 
  45. ↑ "Sophie Wessex makes glamorous appearance at royal birthday gathering". hellomagazine.com. https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2017051038804/sophie-wessex-king-harald-queen-sonja-80th-birthday-celebrations/. 
  46. ↑ "Countess of Wessex and European royals mark 80th birthdays of Norway's King and Queen". express.co.uk. https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/802666/Sophie-of-Wessex-King-Queen-Norway-European-royals-pictures-birthdays. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Edward & Sophie attend Sultan of Brunei's Golden Jubilee celebrations". thecrownchronicles.co.uk. https://www.thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/edward-sophie-attend-sultan-bruneis-golden-jubilee-celebrations/. 
  48. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (30 November 2017). "'Making for Change' is a fashion training & manufacturing unit established by the Ministry of Justice and London College of Fashion, @UAL in 2014 at HMP Holloway. It moved to its new home of HMP Downview in summer 2016.". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/936294984977997824. 
  49. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (30 November 2017). "The Countess met staff and prisoners, including female inmate Trudy, and awarded participants with certificates as part of their training programme. Trudy received her ABC Level 1 Certificate in Fashion and Textiles.". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/936295249860800512. 
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Sophie, Countess of Wessex visits NI charities". ITV. 23 January 2018. http://www.itv.com/news/utv/2018-01-23/sophie-countess-of-wessex-visits-ni-charities/. 
  51. ↑ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex commemorate Sri Lanka's 70th Anniversary of Independence". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/earl-and-countess-wessex-commemorate-sri-lankas-70th-anniversary-independence. 
  52. ↑ "Kaljulaid: UK has been Estonia's ally for 100 years". ERR News. 8 October 2018. https://news.err.ee/867417/kaljulaid-uk-has-been-estonia-s-ally-for-100-years. 
  53. ↑ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit the Baltic States". The Royal Family. https://www.royal.uk/royal-visit-baltics. 
  54. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex attends the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/countess-wessex-attends-commission-status-women-un. 
  55. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex will visit India". royal.co.uk. https://www.royal.uk/countess-wessex-will-visit-india. 
  56. ↑ "The Earl and Countess of Forfar visit Forfar". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/earl-and-countess-forfar-visit-forfar. 
  57. ↑ Sutcliffe, Laura (17 October 2019). "The Countess of Wessex looks like a film star in a pink Emilia Wickstead dress". https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/2019101779304/sophie-wessex-pink-emilia-wickstead-dress-kosovo/. 
  58. ↑ "Countess of Wessex to promote women's rights during trip to South Sudan". MSN. 4 March 2020. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/countess-of-wessex-to-promote-womens-rights-during-trip-to-south-sudan/ar-BB10HgzM. 
  59. ↑ "The Wessex Youth Trust". wessexyouthtrust.org.uk. http://www.wessexyouthtrust.org.uk/. 
  60. ↑ "Changes to The Wessex Youth Trust". wessexyouthtrust.org.uk. https://wessexyouthtrust.org.uk/index.php. 
  61. ↑ "Sunderland AFC gets royal recognition". Sunderland Echo. 19 February 2015. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-afc-gets-royal-recognition-1-7113892. 
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 "Sophie takes first steps towards a royal career". The Daily Telegraph. 19 February 2003. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1422500/Sophie-takes-first-steps-towards-a-royal-career.html. 
  63. ↑ "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex". meningitisnow.org.uk. https://www.meningitisnow.org/support-us/who-we-are/our-team/her-royal-highness/. 
  64. ↑ "We have a Single Aim: A World Without Scarring". scarfree.org.uk. http://scarfree.org.uk/about-us. 
  65. ↑ "Introducing the RCSLT". rcslt.org. https://www.rcslt.org/about/introduction. 
  66. ↑ "Countess is girlguides new president". bbc.co.uk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2971823.stm. 
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 "TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex attend DofE Women in Business celebration". The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. https://www.dofe.org/press/trh-the-earl-and-countess-of-wessex-attend-the-dofe-women-in-business-celebration/. 
  68. ↑ "President". brainwave.org.uk. https://www.brainwave.org.uk/president. 
  69. ↑ "Announcements". thetimes.co.uk. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/announcements-l2rpgbgjdfm. 
  70. ↑ "Our structure and people". autism.org.uk. http://www.autism.org.uk/structure#royal%20patron. 
  71. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex attends the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards". royal.gov.uk. https://www.royal.uk/countess-wessex-attends-st-john-ambulance-everyday-heroes-awards?page=4. 
  72. ↑ "The Countess celebrates 30 years of ChildLine". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/countess-celebrates-30-years-childline. 
  73. ↑ "Profile: Earl and Countess of Wessex". BBC. 2 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6261538.stm. 
  74. ↑ "Study of 10,000 babies launched". BBC. 27 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bradford/6090212.stm. 
  75. ↑ "Honorary Fellows". rcog.org.uk. https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/about-us/membership/membership-categories/honorary-fellows/. 
  76. ↑ "Countess of Wessex vice patron at Bath and West society". bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-13753404. 
  77. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (19 March 2018). "The Countess of Wessex as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/975722508220592131. 
  78. ↑ "Countess of Wessex takes 200th Border Union Show role". bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-16612233. 
  79. ↑ "THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX OPENS NEW WOOL BOARD OFFICES". britishwool.org.uk. http://www.britishwool.org.uk/news/the-countess-of-wessex-opens-new-wool-board-offices.php. 
  80. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex appointed patron of London College of Fashion". telegraph.co.uk. http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9938170/The-Countess-of-Wessex-appointed-patron-of-London-College-of-Fashion.html. 
  81. ↑ "HRH The Countess of Wessex appointed Global Ambassador". intaward.org. http://www.intaward.org/news/hrh-countess-wessex-appointed-global-ambassador. 
  82. ↑ "A Royal Boost for the Ubunye Foundation". ubunyefoundation.co.za. http://www.ubunyefoundation.co.za/news/a-royal-boost-for-the-ubunye-foundation.htm. 
  83. ↑ "HRH The Countess of Wessex announced as Vice-Patron of the Trust". jubileetribute.org. http://www.jubileetribute.org/news/2015/hrh-the-countess-of-wessex-announced-as-vice-patron-of-the-trust. 
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  86. ↑ "HRH The Countess of Wessex – Global Ambassador, 100WF's Next Generation initiatives". 100womeninhedgefunds.org. https://www.100womeninhedgefunds.org/pages/global_ambassador.php. 
  87. ↑ "Countess of Wessex completes 450-mile cycling challenge". bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37467530. 
  88. ↑ "Countess on wheels". BBC. 10 May 2016. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-36255808/sophie-countess-of-wessex-on-cycling-challenge. 
  89. ↑ "LEAF announces Countess of Wessex as new Honorary President". farminguk.com. https://www.farminguk.com/News/LEAF-announces-Countess-of-Wessex-as-new-Honorary-President_44542.html. 
  90. ↑ "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex announced as Women of the Future's official Ambassador". womenofthefuture.co.uk. http://womenofthefuture.co.uk/uncategorized/her-royal-highness-the-countess-of-wessex-announced-as-women-of-the-futures-official-ambassador/. 
  91. ↑ Nash, Emily (7 December 2016). "Sophie Wessex takes to the trading floor for charity: 'That was so easy!'". Hello!. https://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016120735084/sophie-wessex-icap-charity-day/. 
  92. ↑ Barcelona, Ainhoa (9 February 2016). "Sophie Wessex makes emotional visit to children's hospice". Hello!. https://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016020929703/sophie-wessex-visits-childrens-hospice/. 
  93. ↑ "Queen steps down as patron of children's charities". BBC. 20 December 2016. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38380285. 
  94. ↑ "Blind veteran from Cumbria meets The Countess of Wessex at military charity's Hampton Court show garden". The Confederation of Service Charities. 4 July 2017. https://www.cobseo.org.uk/blind-veteran-cumbria-meets-countess-wessex-military-charitys-hampton-court-show-garden/. 
  95. ↑ "Charities and Patronages". royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/charities-and-patronages?name=&amp%3Bmrf=5&amp%3Bfield_themes_target_id=&amp%3Bfield_world_region_value=&amp%3Bpage=1&page=18. 
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  97. ↑ "GOLD MEDALIST CONFIRMED AS GUEST SPEAKER". thebbsa.co.uk. http://www.thebbsa.co.uk/2016/gold-medalist-confirmed-as-guest-speaker/. 
  98. ↑ "Meet the Team". icemaiden.erhosting.co.uk. http://icemaiden.erhosting.co.uk/meet-the-team/. 
  99. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (20 January 2018). "'Congratulations Ice Maidens!' – The Countess of Wessex.". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/954772311768518661. 
  100. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (20 January 2018). "Today it has been announced that The Countess of Wessex will be the Royal Patron of The Nursing Memorial Appeal.". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/954767684805283840. 
  101. ↑ "Countess of Wessex takes up top role at Westmorland Agricultural Society". westmorlandshow.co.uk. https://westmorlandshow.co.uk/countess-of-wessex-takes-up-top-role-at-westmorland-agricultural-society/. 
  102. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex becomes Royal Patron of Thames Valley Air Ambulance". RoyalCentral.co.uk. http://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/wessexes/the-countess-of-wessex-becomes-royal-patron-of-thames-valley-air-ambulance-114529. 
  103. ↑ "Countess of Wessex is New Smithfield President". royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk. https://www.royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk/latest-news-1/2019/2/9/countess-of-wessex-is-new-smithfield-president-house-of-lords-forum-plots-way-forward-for-red-meat-sector. 
  104. ↑ "Countess of Wessex teams up with Angelina Jolie to end rape and sexual violence in war zones". Telegraph.co.uk. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2019/03/06/countess-wessex-teams-angelina-jolie-end-rape-sexual-violence/. 
  105. ↑ "Andrew, Edward and Sophie take new roles at Royal Windsor Horse Show". shropshirestar.com. https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2019/04/25/andrew-edward-and-sophie-take-new-roles-at-royal-windsor-horse-show/. 
  106. ↑ "HRH The Duke of Edinburgh hands over Patronage of the Chartered Management Institute to HRH The Countess of Wessex". Chartered Management Institute. https://www.managers.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/cmi-press-releases/patronage-handover-of-the-chartered-management-institute. 
  107. ↑ Caamano, Andrea (26 April 2020). "The Countess of Wessex secretly volunteering to make food for NHS staff - details". https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2020042688708/sophie-wessex-volunteering-making-food-nhs-workers/. 
  108. ↑ Elston, Laura (12 May 2020). "Sophie volunteers by packing food parcels for hospital staff". Belfast Telegraph. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/sophie-volunteers-by-packing-food-parcels-for-hospital-staff-39200990.html. 
  109. ↑ Perry, Simon. "Why Sophie Wessex Is the Royal Family's Secret Weapon amid Coronavirus". https://people.com/royals/sophie-wessex-is-royal-familys-behind-the-scenes-volunteer-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-shes-involved-in-everything-so-nurses-can-eat/. 
  110. ↑ Rice, Francesca. "The Countess of Wessex looks cool and casual in jeans to litter-pick at the beach with her famil". https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/news/a34092415/countess-of-wessex-jeans-beach/. 
  111. ↑ "Prince Edward and family spend sunny weekend on beach clean". https://www.tatler.com/article/prince-edward-countess-of-wessex-lady-louise-windsor-james-viscount-severn-southsea-beach-great-british-beach-clean. 
  112. ↑ Jobson, Robert. "Earl and Countess of Wessex meet famous alpacas on city farm visit". https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/royals/earl-and-countess-of-wessex-meet-famous-alpacas-on-city-farm-visit-a4561136.html. 
  113. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex yesterday joined a meeting". https://www.instagram.com/p/CHyCgHVHORf/. 
  114. ↑ Mills, Rhiannon (26 February 2021). "COVID-19: 'Think about other people': Queen speaks out on vaccine hesitancy". Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-queen-urges-people-unsure-about-coronavirus-jab-to-get-vaccinated-12229060. Retrieved 28 February 2021. 
  115. ↑ Kelly, Guy. "Why Meghan should follow Sophie, the Countess of Wessex – the outsider who quietly became the Queen's favourite". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/meghan-should-follow-sophie-countess-wessex-an-outsider-quietly/. 
  116. ↑ Gaby Hinsliff, Burhan Wazir (8 April 2001). "Word by word, Sophie digs herself deeper into trouble". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/apr/08/uk.news. 
  117. ↑ Hall, Sarah (13 June 1999). "Sophie stresses her differences from Diana". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jun/14/sarahhall. 
  118. ↑ Summerskill, Ben (19 August 2001). "Edward and Sophie go on royal duties 'strike'". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/aug/19/news.monarchy. 
  119. ↑ 119.0 119.1 "How Sophie, Countess of Wessex moved from being a career PR girl to a devoted Royal stalwart". https://www.tatler.com/article/sophie-countess-of-wessex-interview-sunday-times-magazine. 
  120. ↑ "Sophie, Countess Of Wessex, A 'Soap-Opera-Free' Bride Unlike Princess Diana, Expert Claims". International Business Times. 23 August 2019. https://www.ibtimes.com/sophie-countess-wessex-soap-opera-free-bride-unlike-princess-diana-expert-claims-2817080. 
  121. ↑ 121.0 121.1 Murphy, Victoria. "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Is the Royal Family's Secret Weapon". https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a32006526/sophie-countess-of-wessex-royal-family-mission/. 
  122. ↑ Miller, Frederika (20 May 2020). "Sophie Wessex nickname: How dedicated royal earned this surprising nickname". The Daily Express. https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1284136/sophie-wessex-news-nickname-queen-elizabeth-ii-royal-family. 
  123. ↑ "Can Sophie Wessex reignite the royal flame?". https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018755591/can-sophie-wessex-reignite-the-royal-flame. 
  124. ↑ Vanderhoof, Erin. "Countess Sophie's Trip to the Pub Suggests She'll Be Staying in the Spotlight". https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/07/countess-sophie-pub-trip-uk-lockdown. 
  125. ↑ McBride, Caitline (26 January 2020). "Sophie of Wessex: who is Queen Elizabeth's 'favourite' royal filling Harry and Meghan's shoes?". Irish Independent. https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-features/sophie-of-wessex-who-is-queen-elizabeths-favourite-royal-filling-harry-and-meghans-shoes-38888284.html. 
  126. ↑ Georgia, Farquharson. "Sophie Countess of Wessex went from a scandalous past to being a 'royal key worker' – but how could she help Meghan?". https://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/royal-news/meghan-markle-sophie-wessex-554698. 
  127. ↑ 127.0 127.1 "As Sophie, Countess of Wessex turns 53, look back at her most stylish looks". 20 January 2018. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/sophie-countess-wessex-style-hits-best-fashion-looks/. 
  128. ↑ "About Jane Taylor". janetaylorlondon.com. http://www.janetaylorlondon.com/about-jane-taylor. 
  129. ↑ "Royal Style for Real Girls: Tips from Kate Middleton's Hat Maker Jane Taylor". marieclaire.com. https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/a19751/jane-taylor-interview/. 
  130. ↑ 130.0 130.1 "Sophie, Countess of Wessex's most stylish moments". Hello!. 19 January 2018. https://ca.hellomagazine.com/fashion/02018011941863/sophie-countess-wessex-stylish-moments/1/. 
  131. ↑ Clinton, Leah Melby (20 October 2015). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Talks About the Real Fashion Pressures of Being a Royal". Glamour. https://www.glamour.com/story/sophie-countess-of-wessex-style. 
  132. ↑ Jessen, Monique (6 November 2015). "Why Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Skips the Stylist: 'She Does It All Herself'". http://people.com/royals/why-sophie-countess-of-wessex-skips-the-stylist/. 
  133. ↑ Ward, Victoria (18 October 2015). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex tells how she 'caved into fashion'". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/11938857/Sophie-Countess-of-Wessex-tells-how-she-caved-into-fashion.html. 
  134. ↑ Hill, Erin (19 February 2018). "Kate Middleton Steps Out in Black-and-White for Fashion Event Amid BAFTA Dress Code Backlash". http://people.com/royals/kate-middleton-steps-out-in-black-and-white-for-fashion-event-amid-bafta-dress-code-backlash/. 
  135. ↑ 135.0 135.1 135.2 135.3 135.4 135.5 135.6 135.7 135.8 "Sun apologises in royal picture row". BBC. 26 May 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/353644.stm. 
  136. ↑ 136.0 136.1 136.2 136.3 136.4 136.5 "Sun says 'sorry, Sophie'". BBC. 27 May 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/353896.stm. 
  137. ↑ 137.0 137.1 137.2 137.3 "Sun apologises to 'devastated' Sophie Rhys-Jones". 26 May 1999. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/may/26/1. 
  138. ↑ Eden, Richard (16 September 2012). "Duchess of Cambridge receives support from Countess of Wessex in topless pictures row". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9545281/Duchess-of-Cambridge-receives-support-from-Countess-of-Wessex-in-topless-pictures-row.html. 
  139. ↑ 139.0 139.1 "Tabloid rapped over topless Sophie photo". BBC. 2 June 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/359041.stm. 
  140. ↑ "Noble sorry for Sophie snap". BBC. 19 March 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/682763.stm. 
  141. ↑ 141.0 141.1 141.2 141.3 141.4 141.5 "Palace denies reports of Sophie insults". BBC. 2 April 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1255645.stm. 
  142. ↑ 142.0 142.1 "The fake sheikh and his greatest hits". The Independent. London. 6 September 2005. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-fake-sheikh-and-his-greatest-hits-310570.html. 
  143. ↑ "Tulisa Contostavlos drugs trial collapses". BBC. 21 July 2014. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28403821. 
  144. ↑ "Word by word, Sophie digs herself deeper into trouble". 8 April 2001. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/apr/08/uk.news. 
  145. ↑ "Sophie and Edward quit business roles". BBC News. 2 March 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1850847.stm. 
  146. ↑ 146.0 146.1 Staff writer (7 January 2012). "Countess of Wessex's Bahrain jewel gift criticised". BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16452634. 
  147. ↑ 147.0 147.1 Bloxham, Andy (6 January 2012). "Countess of Wessex criticised for accepting jewels from Bahrain". The Daily Telegraph. London. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8999280/Countess-of-Wessex-criticised-for-accepting-jewels-from-Bahrain.html. 
  148. ↑ Sawer, Patrick (8 January 2012). "How a routine royal visit spelt trouble for the Countess of Wessex". The Daily Telegraph. London. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8999872/How-a-routine-royal-visit-spelt-trouble-for-the-Countess-of-Wessex.html. 
  149. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex – Titles". royal.gov.uk. http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheCountessofWessex/Stylesandtitles.aspx. 
  150. ↑ "Title for the Earl of Wessex". Royal.uk. https://www.royal.uk/title-earl-wessex. 
  151. ↑ 151.00 151.01 151.02 151.03 151.04 151.05 151.06 151.07 151.08 151.09 151.10 151.11 "Honours and appointments: The Countess of Wessex". Royal Household. http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheCountessofWessex/Honoursandappointments.aspx. 
  152. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex appointed to the Royal Victorian Order". Queen's Printer. 20 January 2010. http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2010/TheCountessofWessexappointedtotheRoyalVictorianOrd.aspx. 
  153. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (21 March 2017). "The Countess of Wessex, as Grand President of @stjohnambulance has been awarded a Long Service Medal at the National Presidents' Conference.". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/844221216449794048. 
  154. ↑ "'Countess of Wessex' rose Description". Help Me Find. https://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.40494. 
  155. ↑ "The Countess of Wessex (Shrub Rose)". Peter Beales. https://www.classicroses.co.uk/roses/countess-of-wessex-shrub-rose.html. "We were delighted to have named this rose at the suggestion of Bishop Peter Nott, formally of Norwich, who had the honour of officiating at the wedding of The Earl and Countess of Wessex, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor in 1999." 
  156. ↑ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex Receive Centennial Medal". Government of Saskatchewan. 7 June 2005. http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=6f57e213-b361-4db4-99d0-08daa71a484e. 
  157. ↑ The Royal Family [RoyalFamily] (5 October 2017). "The Earl and Countess of Wessex are in Brunei to attend The Sultan of Brunei's Golden Jubilee celebrations.". https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/915958265103732736. 
  158. ↑ "TRH THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL AWARDED WITH THE MEXICAN ORDER OF THE AZTEC EAGLE". Official website of the Mexican Embassy in the United Kingdom. https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/index.php/en/ver-comunicados/761-hrh-the-prince-of-wales-was-awarded-with-the-mexican-order-of-the-aztec-eagle. 
  159. ↑ "Garrison Community Council – Upcoming Events". http://sevenyearproject.com/GCC-website/countess-of-wessex.htm. 
  160. ↑ 160.0 160.1 Sophie's new coat. BBC News. 19 May 1999. Retrieved 14 November 2010.

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