.jpg) |
| The Countess of Wessex in 2018. |
 |
| Sophie's parents: Christopher and Mary Rhys-Jones |
 |
| The Countess of Wessex with her father Christopher at the memorial service for her mother Mary (2005). |
Sophie Rhys-Jones grew up in a seventeenth century farmhouse in Brenchley, Kent. She was a pupil at Dulwich Preparatory School, and then went on to Kent College, where she was friends with Sarah Sienesi, with later became her lady-in-waiting. Sophie then trained as a secretary at West Kent College.
On 19 June 1999, Prince Edward of the United Kingdom and Sophie Rhys-Jones were married at St. George's Chapel at Windsor. On the occasion of the marriage, The Queen bestowed upon her son the title of Earl of Wessex (a peerage in the United Kingdom) with the subsidiary title Viscount Severn (a peerage in the United Kingdom). Twenty years later, in 2019, the Queen granted her son the title of Earl of Forfar in the peerage of Scotland. Therefore, Sophie is normally styled and titled as HRH The Countess of Wessex; however, when in Scotland, she is styled and titled as HRH The Countess of Forfar. Notably, the Earl of Wessex is the only one of the Sovereign's children whose marriage has stood the test of time.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have two children: Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (b.8 November 2003) and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn (b.17 December 2007). James is the youngest of the eight grandchildren of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. The Countess of Wessex suffered an ectopic pregnancy in December 2001.
The Countess of Wessex is the Patron of over seventy charities and organisations. She is a hardworking, dedicated, and discreet member of the British Royal Family. The Earl and Countess of Wessex often represent The Queen at royal events on the Continent.
We wish Her Royal Highness many happy returns of the day!