Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, a member of the British royal family, leads a life that many can only dream of. It should come as no great surprise that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, lives a pretty lavish life. She is, after all, a member of the royal family. However, beyond the tiaras, designer dresses, and royal duties, lies a woman with a fascinating background, a strong work ethic, and a dedication to service.
From Middle-Class Roots to Royal Life
Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones was born on 20 January 1965 into a middle-class family. In fact, as a child, her life was fairly ordinary. She grew up in a middle class family in the small village of Brenchley. Her father, Christopher Bournes Rhys-Jones, was a sales director, and her mother, Mary, was a charity worker and secretary. Rhys-Jones was raised in a four-bedroom 17th-century farmhouse in Brenchley, Kent. 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. Sophie began her education at Dulwich Preparatory School, before moving on to Kent College, Pembury.
As a young woman, she moved to an apartment in London with a friend, before she moved to Tonbridge to train as a secretary. She then embarked on a career 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; they began dating in 1993.
After Sophie and Edward married in 1999, her life turned upside down. Their engagement was announced in January 1999, and they married on 19 June at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. In 2002, Sophie closed her business interests and began full-time work as a member of the royal family.
A Royal Wardrobe and Jewelry Collection
One of the biggest perks of being a royal has to be the clothes. Members of the royal family have plenty of opportunities to get dressed up - galas, events, premieres - and over the years, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has built up a pretty enviable wardrobe. Sophie tends to stick to the royal dress code for official events and appears to share a few favorite designers with fellow royal Kate Middleton. For instance, both have been spotted in Emilia Wickstead, Suzannah, Alexander McQueen, and Erdem. In 2015, she wore a Diane von Furstenburg dress along with a Helmut Lang jacket. She accessorized with Prada shoes and Monica Vinader earrings. In other words, Sophie has very good style. Her influences? "Angelina Jolie - I always think she looks amazing - and also Queen Rania of Jordan always looks stunning," the royal said during an interview for London Fashion Week in 2021.
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In addition to her designer-filled wardrobe, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is also the proud owner of a very, very pricey jewelry collection. According to James Constantinou, founder of Prestige Pawnbrokers, her collection might be worth over £3 million ($3.8 million). Among her pieces is the Anthemion tiara, which she wore on her wedding day. It is reportedly worth £1 million. She also frequently wears a necklace that features the initials of her husband and two children.
Sophie wore pearl earrings and a matching necklace, which had been commissioned by Edward as a wedding gift. She also wore a stunning gown by Samantha Shaw, which was covered in delicate rows of pearl and crystal beading - 325,000 of them to be exact, according to the Express. As designer Shaw explained to Tatler, the dress was actually designed to conceal a second, secret dress. "There was an evening dress under the coat dress, which was to remain super private for the evening dinner, and I had to get the fabric perfectly dyed to color-match the beautiful stone of St.
However, some of Sophie's jewels are fairly controversial. Apparently, Sophie accepted two extravagant sets of jewels from the Bahraini royal family. Former Foreign Office Minister Denis MacShane said that Sophie should give up the jewels for a good cause.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, may have a covetable jewelry collection, but there is one particular piece - one she wears every single day - that blows all of her other accessories out of the water. Yes, we are talking about her engagement ring. The royals are known for going all out when it comes to engagement rings. Queen Elizabeth II, for instance, was given a ring set with 11 diamonds, while Princess Diana wore a ring set with a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire. Sophie's ring is more delicate and unassuming than Diana's, but apparently, it came with a huge price tag. "This royal's 2.05-carat, white gold engagement ring is thought to be the most expensive royal engagement ring ever purchased, with an estimated value of £105,000," said Alison Cooper, CEO of Alicia J Diamonds to the Express. 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.
Royal Residences and Staff
Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, live at Bagshot Park, a huge royal estate in Surrey. Although Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, spends much of her time traveling around the world, when she's at home, her life is just as luxurious. The home was given to the couple by the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift in 1999. The property sits on 51 acres of land and has an estimated 120 rooms - not too shabby! While we don't know too much about the interior of the house, the couple filmed several videos within their home during the pandemic, revealing antique decor, expensive paintings, expansive rooms, and (at least) two kitchens.
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As if one 120-room mansion wasn't enough, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also has access to a second home on her property. According to Hello! part of Prince Edward's lease of Bagshot Park includes access to Sunningdale Lodge, which sits within the boundaries of the estate right next to the main gated entrance.
As a member of the royal family, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, doesn't do many domestic chores - instead, she has a large staff to help around the house (a housekeeper, two maids, a gardener, and office personnel - it's a pretty big house, after all!). "As the primary Cook in the Household of TRH the Earl and Countess of Wessex, you will be responsible for the planning, preparation, and cooking of daily meals. You will also monitor and replenish food supplies and equipment for the household," read the job listing.
Travel and Royal Duties
Like most royals, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, gets plenty of opportunities to jet off on lavish vacations in between her royal duties. In 2014, for instance, Sophie and her family spent the summer relaxing in Espalmador, an island off the coast of Ibiza. In 2019 and 2023, Sophie and her family hit the slopes at the luxurious Corviglia Ski Club in Switzerland, a private members only ski club often frequented by the royals. In 2022, Sophie, her husband, Prince Edward, and their two children took a trip to Corfu, Greece. Apparently, the family visited the local Taverna Galini in Agios Stefanos almost every night.
While Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, goes on her fair share of personal vacations with her family, she's also invited to take part in plenty of official royal events - both in the U.K. and abroad. Sophie has attended numerous royal banquets, garden parties, premieres, and charity galas. Sophie has also attended plenty of glitzy events during her royal trips abroad, too. In 2023, the duchess paid a solo visit to Canada, where she went to a winery and attended a glamorous dinner at Niagara on the Lake. That year, Sophie also visited South America, where she visited the city's cultural center for dance and choreography. A year earlier, she and her husband spent time in the Caribbean. Their tour included meeting locals and viewing performances.
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. 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. 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. She made a similar visit to Bangladesh in November 2017.
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On 26 March 2015, Sophie attended the reburial of Richard III of England in Leicester Cathedral. In May 2015, Sophie 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. She 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. Sophie 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 Earl and Countess of Wessex toured Canada in June 2016, visiting Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
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." 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. In March 2020, Sophie became the first member of the royal family to visit South Sudan. On 29 April 2024, the Duchess visited Ukraine, the first British royal to make the trip since the Russian invasion, where she met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Sophie also met with survivors of war-related sexual violence and torture as well as children who had been returned to Ukraine after being abducted from their families by Russia.
Philanthropy and Patronages
Sophie is the patron of over 70 charities and organizations, including Childline and the London College of Fashion. The Earl and Countess of Wessex established their foundation, the Bagshot Park Charity, later renamed the Wessex Youth Trust, in 1999 to support initiatives and charities that help children and young people. After twenty years of operation, the Wessex Youth Trust reverted back to an earlier name, 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. In July 2023, the trust's remaining funds were transferred to the Edinburgh Trust No.
Sophie 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. She is also patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations and has been patron of the Border Union Agricultural Society since its bicentennial year in 2012. Sophie works to support the 'Campaign for Wool', which was set up by the then-Prince of Wales, and aims to promote the use of British wool.
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. On Sophie'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. The trust was a time-limited foundation and closed on 31 January 2020. In February 2015, the Queen gave a joint reception to celebrate the 50th birthdays of the Earl and Countess, as well as their patronages and affiliations, at Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth, accompanied by the couple, met key supporters, staff, volunteers and alumni from the charities of their patronage and presidency, as well as representatives from their various military appointments. In November 2015, 100 Women in Hedge Funds announced that the Countess will serve as Global Ambassador of 100WF's Next Generation initiatives. In September 2016, Sophie took part in a cycling challenge from the Holyrood Palace to Buckingham Palace for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Diamond Challenge. The Countess of Wessex was elected president of the Devon County Agricultural Association in February 2017. In May 2017, as patron of the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association Sophie attended its 90th anniversary and commemorative athlete awards dinner. 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. In January 2018, Sophie became the Royal Patron of the Nursing Memorial Appeal.
Personal Life and Image
For most people, meeting the queen (or king) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, it's just a normal part of everyday life. Apparently, the tradition began after Sophie learned to ride in order to bond with the queen. "Sophie set herself a series of tasks. After the queen's husband, Prince Philip, died in 2021, Sophie spent even more time with the queen.
How does Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, like to unwind at the end of a long day of royal duties? With a glass of fine wine, naturally. Naturally, Sophie had to pay a visit to a local winery during her 2023 trip to Canada. Sophie also has expensive taste when it comes to gin - her favorite is allegedly Silent Pool, which she told the owner she "loved" (via Express). She is, it seems, less of a fan of whiskey. In 2021, she visited a health food market in Northern Ireland where she sampled a whiskey - and was caught on video struggling to get it down.
Nevertheless, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has both given and received a few pricier gifts in her time as a royal. For her wedding, the Queen Mother gave Sophie her bejeweled hair clip. In 2019, she was given a Patronage by Prince Philip - the Patronage of the Chartered Management Institute, which was considered a great honor. She has also given her fair share of lavish gifts. For instance, in 2023, the Mirror reported that Sophie gave Kate Middleton a £325 ($413.31) jumpsuit. "My friend, a stylist, is best friends with Sophie Wessex, and Sophie buys from us," Donna Ida, the designer of the jumpsuit, said. "[Sophie] got our black Sadie jumpsuit for herself and then asked for one for Kate. Motherhood is usually anything but glamorous - however, for members of the royal family, it seems a little easier. Apparently, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, had the luxury of not one but two nannies while she was raising her first child, Louise. Apparently, Sophie chose to employ nannies who trained at the famous Norland College. Kate Middleton later hired a nanny from the same college.
Exercise may not seem like a luxury - but having access to the world's best trainers and equipment certainly is. And as a royal, that seems to be exactly what Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, gets to enjoy. Although she may be whipped into shape by "army trainers," the duchess's exercise routine does sound pretty dreamy - and it all happens in the comfort of her own home. Her routine includes sessions with her personal cross-trainer, swims at her private pool, and runs around her beautiful estate grounds - "sometimes with [Prince] Edward." Sophie is also a big fan of Pilates, which she allegedly actually practices in public classes.
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. 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. 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. Sophie has since been cited as an under-the-radar "stabilizing influence" and a "safe pair of hands". She has been said to have a low-key approach to royal engagements, and often drives herself to and from events. 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." 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", including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia.
The Countess's engagements gained significant attention from the public post-Megxit, with her charity work and style choices receiving increased commentary and analysis. 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.
Style and Fashion
Sophie was not initially prominent for her fashion, but eventually began to develop her own style and has worn outfits by many notable designers. She has exclusively worn Jane Taylor millinery designs since 2009 on numerous occasions. 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." Alongside the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex, Sophie has been named one of the most stylish members of the royal family. Sophie is particularly known for wearing different combinations of hats and coats, and favours silk dresses and frocks. Describing her style in an interview by Sunday Express Sophie said: "It's about my charities, but I recognize that I'm on display.
Controversies
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. 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. The Countess of Wessex was criticised for accepting two sets of jewels from the royal family of Bahrain during an official day-long 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. Critics said the Countess should sell the gems and give the proceeds to political protesters in Bahrain. 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 …
Titles, Styles, and Arms
Sophie was styled as "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex" from her marriage in 1999 to 2023. The Duchess bears the arms of her husband impaled with her father's. Prior to marrying Prince Edward her father Christopher Rhys-Jones had arms redesigned by Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones, 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. The Duchess's family arms allude to her family's Welsh heritage and one of her noble ancestors the warrior Elystan Glodrydd, Prince of Ferrig (represented by the lion). Previous versions of her marital arms were depicted superimposed upon the Badge of the Order of St John (when DJStJ) replaced in 2010 by the Royal Victorian Order circlet (as GCVO). Her arms since 2022 represent both her being a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (by its circlet) and of the Order of St John (with its augmentation of honour in chief).