Hardworking Sophie Wessex has become one of the most respected and loved members of the Royal Family
On Duty
Sophie manages a busy diar y, her workload having increased significantly over recent years as she took on additional responsibilities from the Queen.
She holds roles with 84 charities and organisations, seven with an international reach. Of these she is patron of more than 60, and president, ambassador, fellow or colonel- in-chief of the remainder. The Countess once cycled more than 400 miles from The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, to Buckingham Palace mark the 60th anniversar y of The Duke of Edinbu Award Scheme, for which she is Global Ambassador.
Significant among this list is the Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust, which she founded with her husband prior to their marriage in 1999. This offers suppor t and grants to charities which help young people, including special educational needs libraries, hospitals and hospices and arts groups. Over the Trust’s first 20 years, more than £2.5 million was issued to benefit 180 different causes.
Sovereign’s Support
The Earl and Countess of Wessex are two of the so-called “magnificent seven” of close family members who suppor ted our beloved late Queen, as she scaled back her workload to focus on her health and wellbeing.
Sophie suppor ted her mother-in-law on a much more personal basis too, and never more so than since the sad loss of the Queen’s “strength and stay”, the late Duke of Edinburgh. Sophie was the most frequent visitor to Windsor Castle at that time, and it was her own snap of the royal couple relaxing at Balmoral that was released to the media on the eve of his funeral.
The Countess was a great favourite of the late Queen, and was said to be her rock who provided a “tremendous source of comfort” to her.
Style Sense
As befits the inaugural patron of the London College of Fashion, the Countess rarely puts a foot wrong in wardrobe matters. Always dressed perfectly for the occasion, her fashion sense has evolved with age and experience since she joined the royal family, perhaps also being a little influenced by the impeccable styling of the current icon of royal fashion, the Princess of Wales.
With her relatable penchant for flattering elbow-length sleeves, nipped waistl
