Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Page semi-protected
Listen to this article
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar
)

Sophie
Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford
, United Kingdom
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1999)​
Issue
  • Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
  • James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex
West Kent College
Signature
Royal family of
the United Kingdom and the
other Commonwealth realms
Badge of the House of Windsor

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh,

King Charles III
.

Sophie grew up at

line to the British throne as of 2024
.

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

people with disabilities, women's rights
, avoidable blindness and agriculture.

Early life and career

Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones was born at

British Protectorate ruled by the White Rajahs.[8]

She descends from

Viscounts Molesworth through her grandmother, Margaret Patricia Rhys-Jones (née Molesworth; 1904–1985), who was the great-granddaughter of the Rev. John Molesworth, himself the father of Sir Guilford Molesworth and a great-grandson of Robert Molesworth, 1st Viscount Molesworth.[9][10]

Rhys-Jones was raised in a four-bedroom 17th-century farmhouse in

West Kent College, Tonbridge.[11]

She began a career in

Capital Radio,[12] where she was assigned to the press and promotions department, as well as public relations companies The Quentin Bell Organisation and MacLaurin Communications & Media.[13] 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.[13][14]

Prior to her marriage, Rhys-Jones lived at Coleherne Court, London.[15]

Marriage and children

Further information: Wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones
Sophie and Edward at Trooping the Colour in London, June 2013

While working at Capital Radio, Rhys-Jones met Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for the first time in 1987 when he was dating her friend.[16] She met him again at a promotion shoot for the Prince Edward Summer Challenge to raise money for charity in 1993, and the two began their relationship soon afterwards.[17][18] In December 1993 and amid growing speculation about whether they were planning to marry, Edward wrote a letter to newspaper editors, in which he denied any wedding plans and asked the media to respect their privacy.[19] Edward proposed to Rhys-Jones at a vacation in the Bahamas in December 1998 and their engagement was announced on 6 January 1999.[17][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] Rhys-Jones, 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 1999 at St George's Chapel, 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 his wife's family).[24]

The couple spent their honeymoon at Balmoral Castle.[23] Following their union, the Earl and Countess of Wessex 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]

In December 2001, Sophie was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital after feeling unwell. It was discovered that she was suffering from an

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.[28] Sophie returned to Frimley Park Hospital on 17 December 2007, to give birth, again by caesarean section, to her son, James (then Viscount Severn, now Earl of Wessex).[29]

Public life

Sophie and Edward at the Queen's Birthday Parade in Gibraltar in 2012

Sophie's first overseas tour after her marriage was to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island in 2000.[30]

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 Queen's 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.[31] In June 2012, as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Edward and Sophie, 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.[32]

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.

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.[36] In November 2014, Sophie was in Zambia representing the Queen at the state funeral of the late president of Zambia, Michael Sata.[37]

Sophie attending the Royal Cheshire County Show in 2015

On 26 March 2015, Sophie attended the

100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala dinner in Manhattan.[40][41]

The Earl and Countess of Wessex toured Canada in June 2016, visiting

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.[46][47]

Sophie at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast in 2018

An avid supporter of charities that deal with learning disabilities, Sophie 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.[48] She also opened the new dementia-friendly unit of Northern Ireland Hospice, the first of its kind in the UK.[48] 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.[49] In October 2018, Edward and Sophie toured the Baltic states.[50][51]

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."[52] 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. Sophie saw the work the charitable foundation has supported to tackle avoidable blindness and heard about programmes successfully launched by Queen's Young Leaders.[53]

In July 2019, the Earl and Countess visited

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sophie met victims and survivors of gender-based violence and promoted their rights by meeting the female political leaders in the country.[56]

In January 2022, the Countess went on a solo visit to Qatar in her capacity as the global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to support the organisation's '2030 in Sight' initiative and visit projects by the Qatar Fund and

women's rights in Afghanistan at an event hosted by the UN Women and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.[58]

In April 2022, Edward and Sophie toured Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda to mark the

Queen's Platinum Jubilee.[59] Their planned visit to Grenada was postponed after talks with the island's government and governor general, and the couple expressed their hopes to visit the country on a later date.[60] In October 2022, she visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo to engage with projects preventing sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, becoming the first member of the royal family to visit the country.[61] The tour also included visits to Rwanda, Botswana, and Malawi.[62][63] After her husband was created Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday, Sophie and Edward visited Edinburgh to meet with members of the Ukrainian and Eastern European communities in the city, some of whom were displaced following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[64] In May 2023, Sophie visited Iraq at the request of the Foreign Office to promote the Women, Peace and Security agenda and raise awareness about conflict-related sexual violence.[65] She became the first member of the royal family to visit Baghdad.[66]

Charity work and patronage

Sophie at the 2018 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.[67] 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 and Forfar. 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.[68]

In 2000, she became

Sunderland A.F.C Foundation) which develops educational and community programmes in northern England, based around football.[69] 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.[70] As a full-time member of the royal family, part 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.[70] In 2003, she became patron of Tomorrow's People Trust, which helps the disadvantaged to find work, housing and a place in society.[70] In February 2003, Sophie became patron and ambassador of Meningitis Now, a charity that supports meningitis patients and raises awareness of the disease.[71] Later that month, she became patron to The Scar Free Foundation, a medical research charity coordinating funds in wound healing, burns and cleft research.[72] In 2003, she succeeded Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as patron of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.[73]

Sophie, who was a

ChildLine for many years, preceding her appointment as their first ever royal patron in 2005.[80] 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.[81][82] In September 2006, she was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.[83] In the same year, she became patron of England Hockey.[84]

Sophie is a supporter of agriculture, farming and food production and held the position of show president of the

Eastern Cape, South Africa, a rural development trust dedicated to unlocking the potential of rural communities.[92]

On Sophie's 50th birthday, she became vice patron of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, a charitable foundation established in 2012 for

British Cycling Federation.[103][104][105]

The Countess of Wessex was elected president of the Devon County Agricultural Association in February 2017.[106] In May 2017, as patron of the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association Sophie attended its 90th anniversary and commemorative athlete awards dinner.[107] 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.[108][109] In January 2018, Sophie 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.[110] In February 2018, Westmorland Agricultural Society welcomed the Countess as its president.[111] In January 2019, Sophie became the patron of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which saved her life during her ectopic pregnancy in 2001.[112] On 29 January, she was elected president of the Royal Smithfield Club, which promotes the education and knowledge to advance best practice in the meat and livestock industry.[113] On International Women's Day March 2019, Sophie 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.[114] On 25 April 2019, it was announced that the Countess, along with her husband and her brother-in-law, the Duke of York, have each been appointed vice president of the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show.[115] In May 2019, she took over the patronage of the Chartered Management Institute from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.[116]

Washington, DC

In April 2020, the Countess helped Rhubarb, a catering company, in preparing and delivering food to NHS staff amidst the coronavirus pandemic, an initiative organised by Ian Wace.[117] Sophie has also volunteered at local food banks, including the Hope Hub and the Lighthouse, in Surrey and delivered parcels to the homeless during the pandemic.[118] 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.[119][120]

In February 2021, as grand president of St John Ambulance, the Countess started working as a care volunteer at an NHS vaccination centre.[121] In May 2021, Sophie become royal patron of Wellbeing of Women, a charity focused on all areas of women's reproductive health across a woman's life course, from menstrual health to menopause.[122] A patron of this charity, she later discussed her own struggles with menopause and how it affected her memory.[123] In July 2021, Princess Alexandra handed over the patronage of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to Sophie.[124] In December 2022, Sophie was honoured at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, where she received the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for her work concerning sexual violence in war zones.[125]

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.[126] In the early years of her marriage, Sophie faced public scrutiny for her business interests, and was often compared to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died two years earlier.[127][128][129] 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."[130]

Sophie has since been cited as an under-the-radar "stabilizing influence" and a "safe pair of hands".

gender-based violence in conflict, and trips to "difficult areas", such as South Sudan and Sierra Leone.[131][133] The Countess's engagements gained significant attention from the public post-Megxit, with her charity work and style choices receiving increased commentary and analysis.[134][135] Writer Ingrid Seward states that Sophie "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."[136]

Sophie was not initially prominent for her fashion, but eventually began to develop her own style and has worn outfits by many notable designers.

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".[141] She also revealed that she has never had a stylist of her own and that she makes her fashion choices herself.[142] In 2015, the Countess was named on Vanity Fair's Best Dressed List.[143] Together with the then-Duchess of Cambridge, Sophie hosted the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange reception at Buckingham Palace during the 2018 London Fashion Week.[144]

Privacy and the media

Violation of privacy

In May 1999, less than a month before her wedding,

Heart 106.2 FM.[147] The couple later decided not to make a formal complaint.[149]

In 2011, close associates of Jonathan Rees, a private investigator connected to the News International phone hacking scandal, stated that he had penetrated Sophie and Edward's bank accounts and sold details about them to the Sunday Mirror.[151]

Media sting

In April 2001, Sophie appeared in the media after she was misled in a meeting at

Tabloid newspapers claimed the Countess had sent apology letters to Blair, Hague and Prince Charles.[152]

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."[152] The Palace released a statement saying the reported comments were "selective, distorted and in several cases, flatly untrue".[152] The Palace officials stated that Sophie had not insulted the Queen, the Queen Mother, or the politicians, while according to the Mail on Sunday four reliable sources had confirmed these reports.[152] The News of the World attributed the negative reactions to the jealousy of the rival media, as the outlet had previously conducted an interview with Sophie in which she addressed the rumours about her difficulties in marriage and discussed her husband's sexuality.[152] Sophie had reportedly agreed to the intimate interview on the condition that the newspaper would not publish transcript of the tapes.[157][158] In a separate statement Sophie said she was "distressed by the carrying out of an entrapment operation" on her, but also regretted her "own misjudgment in succumbing to that subterfuge".[156] 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.[159]

Jewellery gifts

The Countess of Wessex was criticised for accepting two sets of jewels from the

royal family of Bahrain during an official day-long[160] 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, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also gave Sophie a silver and pearl cup. The value of the jewellery has not been estimated and its precise contents were not disclosed.[161] 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.[162]

Critics said the Countess should sell the gems and give the proceeds to

political protesters in Bahrain. Denis MacShane, then a Labour Member of Parliament (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."[161]

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."[160]

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

Sophie was

for life), she has been known as "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh".[166]

Honours

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

Foreign

Honorary military appointments

Honorary Air Commodore combat dress on a visit to Kandahar
in 2011
Canada Canada
United Kingdom United Kingdom

Honorific eponyms

  • The Countess of Wessex Cup, an annual competition which sees regiments and military organisations affiliated with Sophie compete against each other in a series of challenges[182]
  • The rose cultivar Rosa 'Countess of Wessex' was named in her honour in 2004.[183][184]

Arms

Coat of arms of the Duchess of Edinburgh
Notes
The Duchess bears the
Garter King of Arms, based on a 200-year-old family blazon never previously recognised. The new grant of arms included a remainder to Christopher's elder brother Theo Rhys-Jones and issue. About her new family coat of arms, Sophie 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."[185]
Adopted
1999
Coronet
Coronet of a child of the Sovereign.
Escutcheon
Tudor Rose (Royal Arms differenced for Prince Edward); 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
Surrounding the Shield, the Royal Victorian Order circlet inscribed with its motto: VICTORIA;
Behind the Shield, the Badge of the
Maltese Cross
(optional).
Other elements
In
GCVO insignia
suspended below the Shield (optional).
Symbolism
The Duchess's family arms allude to her family's
regimental colours of the Royal Fusiliers, in which members of her family have served.[185] The wyvern is a symbol of Wessex, appropriate to the earldom of Wessex (now a subsidiary title).[186]
Previous versions
GCVO.
Prior to her marriage, Sophie Rhys-Jones bore her father's arms on a lozenge
.

Authored articles

  • HRH The Countess of Wessex (10 October 2013). "World Sight Day: Blindness is a matter of life and death". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  • HRH The Countess of Wessex (7 March 2019). "Why I'm joining the fight to end the silence around women in conflict". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  • HRH The Countess of Wessex (31 October 2020). "Women are the unsung heroes of peacebuilding". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.

References

  1. ^ "The Countess of Wessex". The Royal Family. 4 November 2015. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  2. ^ "2018 royal work statistics: who's been busy, who's been busier (congrats, Your Maj!)". Maclean's. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Background". The British Monarchy. Royal Household. Archived from the original on 21 October 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b "How Sophie, Countess of Wessex moved from being a career PR girl to a devoted Royal stalwart". Tatler. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021. 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'". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021. Sophie, 55, came from a middle class family and worked for a PR firm before she wed Prince Edward.
  6. ^ "PR girl turns princess". BBC. 11 June 1999. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018. Her father, Christopher, the son of a teacher, is a retired salesman for a tyre maker ... 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.
  7. ^ "Countess of Wessex's mother dies". BBC. 29 August 2005. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  8. ^ Biography of Paul Bettany Archived 26 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage Archived 15 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine, 107th edition, volume 2, 2003. pages 2720–2731.
  10. ^ "Sophie's Brush With Greatness". Manchester Evening News. 13 August 2007. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020. 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...
  11. ^ "PR girl turns princess". BBC News. 11 June 1999. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  12. ^ "Sun apologises to 'devastated' Sophie Rhys-Jones". The Guardian. 26 May 1999. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  13. ^ a b Furness, Hannah (2 July 2012). "Countess of Wessex: the Royal Family's latest style icon?". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  14. ^ Lowrie, Margaret (20 June 1999). "How 'sensible' and 'royal wedding' add up to 'yawn'". CNN. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Colherne Court in 2006 - 21st Century". Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Sophie: Life in the spotlight". BBC News. 2 April 2001. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  17. ^ a b c Hall Meares, Hadley (15 July 2021). "How Prince Edward and Sophie Evolved From P.R. Blunders to Become Key Frontline Royals". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  18. ^ "History – Prince Edward's wedding (pictures, video, facts & news)". BBC. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  19. ^ "Prince Edward asks British editors to respect his privacy". UPI. 21 December 1993. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Prince Edward announces his engagement". BBC. 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Crown jewels: The fabulous rings which sealed the love of Europe's royal couples". HELLO! magazine. UK. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  22. ^ a b Seward, Ingrid (23 November 2013). "Sophie Wessex: The unsung star of the Royal family". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Edward & Sophie". People. 5 July 1999. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Wessex titles for Edward and Sophie". BBC News. 19 June 1999. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  25. ^ "The Crown Estate – Property Leases with the Royal Family". Report. National Audit Office (United Kingdom). 2005. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  26. ^ "Royal Residences: Buckingham Palace". royal.uk. 12 November 2015. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  27. ^ "Baby joy for Sophie and Edward". BBC News. 6 May 2003. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Royal baby born prematurely". BBC News. 8 November 2003. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  29. ^ "Countess gives birth to baby boy". BBC News. 17 December 2007. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  30. ^ Scott, Burke; Aimers, John (October 2001). "Wessexs' Tour a Triumph". Canadian Monarchist News (Autumn 2001). Monarchist League of Canada. Archived from the original on 8 July 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  31. ^ Harris, Carolyn (15 February 2012). "Royals of the Caribbean: The 2012 Diamond Jubilee Commonwealth Tours Begin". royalhistorian.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  32. ^ "Earl and Countess of Wessex greeted by overwhelming British patriotism in Gibraltar". hellomagazine.com. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  33. ^ a b "Qatar Creating Vision initiative". The Royal Family. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  34. ^ "Sophie Wessex brings joy to eye patients in India". Hello!. 20 September 2013. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  35. ^ Shahid, Sharnaz (21 November 2017). "Sophie Wessex shows off her maternal side as she meets locals in Bangladesh". Hello!. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  36. ^ "Lunchtime Concert – The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra". classical-music.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  37. ^ "Countess of Wessex arrives for Sata's funeral". lusakavoice.com. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  38. ^ "Richard III: Leicester Cathedral reburial service for king". BBC. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  39. ^ "Thousands turn out for Liberation Day celebration". BBC News. 9 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  40. ^ "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visits Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair". ca.hellomagazine.com. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  41. ^ "Sophie Wessex pays emotional visit to 9/11 memorial in New York". ca.hellomagazine.com. 12 November 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  42. ^ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit Canada". royal.uk. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  43. ^ "Trust Vice-Patron to visit Malawi in Commonwealth Week to see the work of the Trust". jubileetribute.org. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  44. ^ "Sophie Wessex makes glamorous appearance at royal birthday gathering". hellomagazine.com. 10 May 2017. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  45. ^ a b "Edward & Sophie attend Sultan of Brunei's Golden Jubilee celebrations". thecrownchronicles.co.uk. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  46. ^ 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" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  47. ^ 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" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  48. ^ a b "Sophie, Countess of Wessex visits NI charities". ITV. 23 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  49. ^ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex commemorate Sri Lanka's 70th Anniversary of Independence". royal.uk. 7 February 2018. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  50. ^ "Kaljulaid: UK has been Estonia's ally for 100 years". ERR News. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  51. ^ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit the Baltic States". The Royal Family. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  52. ^ "The Countess of Wessex attends the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN". royal.uk. 13 March 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  53. ^ "The Countess of Wessex will visit India". royal.co.uk. 23 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  54. ^ "The Earl and Countess of Forfar visit Forfar". royal.uk. July 2019. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  55. ^ Sutcliffe, Laura (17 October 2019). "The Countess of Wessex looks like a film star in a pink Emilia Wickstead dress". Hello!. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  56. ^ "Countess of Wessex to promote women's rights during trip to South Sudan". MSN. 4 March 2020. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  57. ^ a b Sutcliffe, Laura (11 January 2022). "The Countess of Wessex wears a truly sensational dress in Qatar". Hello!. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  58. ^ a b Petit, Stephanie (14 March 2022). "Royal in the States! Sophie, Countess of Wessex Arrives in New York City for 4-Day Visit". People. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  59. ^ Sawer, Patrick (23 April 2022). "Earl and Countess of Wessex met by protests on second leg of Caribbean tour". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  60. ^ Adams, Charley (22 April 2022). "Earl and Countess of Wessex: Prince Edward and Sophie postpone Grenada trip". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  61. ^ Ward, Victoria (3 October 2022). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex becomes first Royal to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  62. ^ "The Countess of Wessex visits the Democratic Republic of the Congo". The Royal Family. 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  63. ^ "The Countess of Wessex visits Botswana and Malawi". The Royal Family. 11 October 2022. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  64. ^ Perry, Simon (10 March 2023). "Prince Edward and Sophie Step Out in Scotland as the New Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh". People. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  65. ^ Ward, Victoria (23 May 2023). "Duchess of Edinburgh visits Iraq to champion survivors of conflict-related sexual violence". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  66. ^ Russell, Rachel (23 May 2023). "Duchess of Edinburgh becomes first royal to visit Baghdad in Iraq". BBC News. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  67. ^ "The Wessex Youth Trust". wessexyouthtrust.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  68. ^ "Changes to The Wessex Youth Trust". wessexyouthtrust.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2019.
  69. ^ "Sunderland AFC gets royal recognition". Sunderland Echo. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  70. ^ a b c "Sophie takes first steps towards a royal career". The Telegraph. 19 February 2003. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  71. ^ "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex". meningitisnow.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  72. ^ "We have a Single Aim: A World Without Scarring". scarfree.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  73. ^ "Introducing the RCSLT". rcslt.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  74. ^ "Countess is girlguides new president". BBC. 12 June 2003. Archived from the original on 14 June 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2003.
  75. ^ a b "TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex attend DofE Women in Business celebration". The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  76. ^ "President". brainwave.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  77. ^ "Announcements". The Times. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2003.
  78. ^ "Our structure and people". autism.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  79. ^ "The Countess of Wessex attends the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards". royal.gov.uk. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  80. ^ "The Countess celebrates 30 years of ChildLine". royal.uk. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  81. ^ "Profile: Earl and Countess of Wessex". BBC. 2 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  82. ^ "Study of 10,000 babies launched". BBC. 27 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  83. ^ "Honorary Fellows". rcog.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  84. ^ "The Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise meet England Hockey". The Royal Family. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  85. ^ "Countess of Wessex vice patron at Bath and West society". BBC News. 13 June 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  86. ^ The Royal Family [@RoyalFamily] (19 March 2018). "The Countess of Wessex as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  87. ^ "Countess of Wessex takes 200th Border Union Show role". BBC News. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  88. ^ "The Countess of Wessex Opens New Wool Board Offices". britishwool.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  89. ^ "The Countess of Wessex appointed patron of London College of Fashion". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  90. ^ "Loughborough charity announces new Royal Patron". ITV. 23 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  91. ^ "HRH The Countess of Wessex appointed Global Ambassador". intaward.org. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  92. ^ "A Royal Boost for the Ubunye Foundation". ubunyefoundation.co.za. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  93. ^ "HRH The Countess of Wessex announced as Vice-Patron of the Trust". jubileetribute.org. Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  94. ^ "The Countess of Wessex will visit India". royal.co.uk. 23 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  95. ^ The Royal Family [@RoyalFamily] (10 February 2015). "The Queen and The Countess meet @ERantzen, representing @ISPCCChildline, and @RealRobFahey at TRH birthday reception" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  96. ^ "HRH The Countess of Wessex – Global Ambassador, 100WF's Next Generation initiatives". 100womeninhedgefunds.org. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  97. ^ "Countess of Wessex completes 450-mile cycling challenge". BBC News. 25 September 2016. Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  98. ^ "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, on cycling challenge". BBC. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  99. ^ "LEAF announces Countess of Wessex as new Honorary President". FarmingUK News. 20 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  100. ^ "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex announced as Women of the Future's official Ambassador". Women of the Future Programme. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  101. ^ Nash, Emily (7 December 2016). "Sophie Wessex takes to the trading floor for charity: 'That was so easy!'". Hello!. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  102. ^ Barcelona, Ainhoa (9 February 2016). "Sophie Wessex makes emotional visit to children's hospice". Hello!. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  103. ^ "Queen steps down as patron of children's charities". BBC. 20 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  104. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  105. ^ "Charities and Patronages". royal.uk. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  106. ^ "Countess elected president of agricultural association". middevonadvertiser.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  107. ^ "GOLD MEDALIST CONFIRMED AS GUEST SPEAKER". thebbsa.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  108. ^ "Meet the Team". icemaiden.erhosting.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  109. ^ The Royal Family [@RoyalFamily] (20 January 2018). "'Congratulations Ice Maidens!' – The Countess of Wessex" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  110. ^ 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" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  111. ^ "Countess of Wessex takes up top role at Westmorland Agricultural Society". westmorlandshow.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  112. ^ "The Countess of Wessex becomes Royal Patron of Thames Valley Air Ambulance". RoyalCentral.co.uk. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  113. ^ "Countess of Wessex is New Smithfield President". royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk. 9 February 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  114. ^ Tominey, Camilla (6 March 2019). "Countess of Wessex teams up with Angelina Jolie to end rape and sexual violence in war zones". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  115. ^ "Andrew, Edward and Sophie take new roles at Royal Windsor Horse Show". shropshirestar.com. 25 April 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  116. ^ "HRH The Duke of Edinburgh hands over Patronage of the Chartered Management Institute to HRH The Countess of Wessex". Chartered Management Institute. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  117. ^ Caamano, Andrea (26 April 2020). "The Countess of Wessex secretly volunteering to make food for NHS staff – details". Hello!. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  118. ^ Perry, Simon (18 June 2020). "Why Sophie Wessex Is the Royal Family's Secret Weapon amid Coronavirus". People. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  119. ^ Rice, Francesca (21 September 2020). "The Countess of Wessex looks cool and casual in jeans to litter-pick at the beach with her famil". Good Housekeeping. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  120. ^ "Prince Edward and family spend sunny weekend on beach clean". Tatler. 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  121. ^ Mills, Rhiannon (26 February 2021). "COVID-19: 'Think about other people': Queen speaks out on vaccine hesitancy". Sky News. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  122. ^ "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex becomes Royal Patron". wellbeingofwomen.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  123. ^ Wilkins, Bridie (16 September 2021). "Sophie Wessex confesses struggles with memory loss". Hello!. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  124. ^ "Countess of Wessex takes over incredible new role from the Queen's cousin". hellomagazine.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  125. ^ Petit, Stephanie (5 December 2022). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex Appears at Georgetown University to Receive Award from Hillary Clinton". People. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  126. ^ Kelly, Guy (2 August 2018). "Why Meghan should follow Sophie, the Countess of Wessex – the outsider who quietly became the Queen's favourite". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  127. ^ Hinsliff, Gaby; Wazir, Burhan (8 April 2001). "Word by word, Sophie digs herself deeper into trouble". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  128. ^ Hall, Sarah (13 June 1999). "Sophie stresses her differences from Diana". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  129. ^ Summerskill, Ben (19 August 2001). "Edward and Sophie go on royal duties 'strike'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  130. ^ a b "How Sophie, Countess of Wessex moved from being a career PR girl to a devoted Royal stalwart". Tatler. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  131. ^ a b Murphy, Victoria (5 April 2020). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Is the Royal Family's Secret Weapon". Town and Country. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  132. ^ Miller, Frederika (20 May 2020). "Sophie Wessex nickname: How dedicated royal earned this surprising nickname". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  133. ^ "Can Sophie Wessex reignite the royal flame?". Radio NZ. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  134. ^ Vanderhoof, Erin. "Countess Sophie's Trip to the Pub Suggests She'll Be Staying in the Spotlight". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  135. ^ McBride, Caitline (26 January 2020). "Sophie of Wessex: who is Queen Elizabeth's 'favourite' royal filling Harry and Meghan's shoes?". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  136. ^ Farquharson, Georgia (15 August 2020). "Sophie Countess of Wessex went from a scandalous past to being a 'royal key worker' – but how could she help Meghan?". GoodtoKnow. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  137. ^ a b "As Sophie, Countess of Wessex turns 53, look back at her most stylish looks". The Telegraph. 20 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  138. ^ "About Jane Taylor". janetaylorlondon.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  139. ^ "Royal Style for Real Girls: Tips from Kate Middleton's Hat Maker Jane Taylor". marieclaire.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  140. ^ a b "Sophie, Countess of Wessex's most stylish moments". Hello!. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  141. ^ Clinton, Leah Melby (20 October 2015). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Talks About the Real Fashion Pressures of Being a Royal". Glamour. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  142. ^ Jessen, Monique (6 November 2015). "Why Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Skips the Stylist: 'She Does It All Herself'". People. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  143. ^ Ward, Victoria (18 October 2015). "Sophie, Countess of Wessex tells how she 'caved into fashion'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  144. ^ Hill, Erin (19 February 2018). "Kate Middleton Steps Out in Black-and-White for Fashion Event Amid BAFTA Dress Code Backlash". People. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  145. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Sun apologises in royal picture row". BBC. 26 May 1999. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  146. ^ a b c d e f "Sun says 'sorry, Sophie'". BBC. 27 May 1999. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  147. ^ a b c d "Sun apologises to 'devastated' Sophie Rhys-Jones". The Guardian. 26 May 1999. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  148. ^ Eden, Richard (16 September 2012). "Duchess of Cambridge receives support from Countess of Wessex in topless pictures row". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  149. ^ a b "Tabloid rapped over topless Sophie photo". BBC. 2 June 1999. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  150. ^ "Noble sorry for Sophie snap". BBC. 19 March 2000. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  151. ^ Davies, Nick (8 June 2011). "Phone-hacking scandal widens to include Kate Middleton and Tony Blair". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  152. ^ a b c d e f g "Palace denies reports of Sophie insults". BBC. 2 April 2001. Archived from the original on 15 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  153. ^ a b "The fake sheikh and his greatest hits". The Independent. London. 6 September 2005. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  154. ^ "Tulisa Contostavlos drugs trial collapses". BBC. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  155. ^ a b "Word by word, Sophie digs herself deeper into trouble". The Guardian. 8 April 2001. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  156. ^ a b c Millar, Frank (9 April 2001). "Sophie quits PR firm amid new tape revelations". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  157. ^ "Explosive headlines for Sophie". BBC News. 8 April 2001. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  158. ^ "Sophie scandal continues". BBC. 8 April 2001. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  159. ^ "Sophie and Edward quit business roles". BBC News. 2 March 2002. Archived from the original on 23 December 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  160. ^ a b Staff writer (7 January 2012). "Countess of Wessex's Bahrain jewel gift criticised". BBC. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  161. ^ a b Bloxham, Andy (6 January 2012). "Countess of Wessex criticised for accepting jewels from Bahrain". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  162. ^ Sawer, Patrick (8 January 2012). "How a routine royal visit spelt trouble for the Countess of Wessex". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  163. ^ "Title for the Earl of Wessex". Royal.uk. 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  164. ^ "The Funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh". royal.uk. 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  165. ^ "Order of Service for The State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" (PDF). The Royal Family. 19 September 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  166. ^ "The King confers The Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward". The Royal Family. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  167. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Honours and appointments: The Countess of Wessex". Royal Household. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  168. ^ "The Earl and Countess of Wessex Receive Centennial Medal" (Press release). Government of Saskatchewan. 7 June 2005. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  169. ^ "The Countess of Wessex appointed to the Royal Victorian Order" (Press release). Queen's Printer. 20 January 2010. Archived from the original on 24 January 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  170. ^ 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" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  171. ^ The Royal Family [@RoyalFamily] (16 September 2021). "Yesterday The Countess of Wessex, Grand President of @StJohnAmbulance, was presented with the First Bar to the Service Medal, marking HRH's 15 years of service to the Order" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  172. ^ Longstaff, Emma (27 April 2023). "What medals are the royal family wearing?". Homes & Antiques. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  173. ^ "No. 63692". The London Gazette. 9 May 2022. p. 8838.
  174. ^ "No. 57625". The London Gazette. 27 April 2005. p. 5488.
  175. ^ "Honours, Decorations and Medals". gov.uk. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  176. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  177. ^ 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" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  178. ^ "Garrison Community Council – Upcoming Events". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  179. ^ "No. 57032". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 August 2003. p. 10318.
  180. ^ "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex becomes Colonel-in-Chief of the REME". The British Army. 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  181. ^ a b "Further Military Appointments for Members of the Royal Family". The Royal Family. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  182. ^ "The Countess of Wessex Cup at the St John Moore Barracks". The Royal Family. 22 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  183. ^ "'Countess of Wessex' rose Description". Help Me Find. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  184. ^ "The Countess of Wessex (Shrub Rose)". Peter Beales. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020. 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.
  185. ^ a b Sophie's new coat Archived 31 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News. 19 May 1999. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  186. ^ "Royal Insights: October 2005: Mailbox". The Royal Household. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2023.

External links

Listen to this article (15 minutes)
Spoken Wikipedia icon
Audio help · More spoken articles
)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Ladies

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sophie,_Duchess_of_Edinburgh&oldid=1215062877"