SOPHIE Wessex's life changed forever when she married her husband, who just happened to be a prince.
Since then, the Duchess of Edinburgh has become a beloved member of the Royal Family.
Who is Sophie Wessex, the Duchess of Edinburgh?
Born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones on January 20, 1965, the Duchess of Edinburgh is the wife of Prince Edward.
She attended Kent College School for Girls, before completing her education at West Kent College.
While studying, she became friends with Sarah Sienesi, with whom she shared a flat in Fulham and who later became her lady-in-waiting.
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After leaving school, Sophie embarked on a career in public relations, working for a variety of firms, before opening her own public relations agency, which she co-ran for five years.
The Duchess also worked as a ski representative in Switzerland and spent a year travelling and working in Australia.
She then went onto work for Capital Radio for four years.
Sophie splits her time between her work in support of King Charles and visits to a large number of her own charities and organisations.
The Duchess has a wide range of interests which include supporting people with disabilities, the prevention of blindness in developing countries, agriculture and fashion.
When did Sophie Rhys Jones meet Prince Edward?
Sophie met Prince Edward at a real tennis event in the summer of 1993.
After dating for several years, the happy couple announced the news of their royal engagement in January 1999.
Prince Edward proposed to Sophie with a two-carat oval diamond flanked by two heart-shaped gemstones set in 18-carat white gold and was made by the Royal jeweller Garrard & Co.
It is worth an estimated £105,000.
When did Sophie and Prince Edward get married?
Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys Jones were married on June 19, 1999, at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle - the same location that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said I do.
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The couple had a relatively simple royal wedding, with no ceremonial state or military involvement.
Despite the low-key affair, the celebration was watched by 200 million viewers.
On their wedding day, Prince Edward was created a hereditary peer as Earl of Wessex, and Sophie the Countess of Wessex.
The couple then spent their honeymoon at Balmoral Castle.
Who are Prince Edward and Sophie's children?
The Duke and Duchess have two children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
In December 2001, the Countess was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital after feeling unwell, before discovering that she was suffering from an ectopic pregnancy and the foetus had to be removed.
Two years later, on November 8, 2003, she prematurely gave birth to their daughter, Lady Louise, resulting from a sudden placental abruption that placed both mother and child at risk.
The Duchess had to undergo an emergency caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital, while Edward rushed back from Mauritius.
She returned to Frimley Park Hospital on December 17, 2007, to give birth by caesarean section to their son, James Viscount Severn.
How old is Sophie Wessex, Duchess of Edinburgh?
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was born on January 20, 1965 - which means she turns 59 in 2024.
She is the second child of parents Christopher Bournes Rhys Jones and Mary.
Touchingly, Sophie's middle name is a tribute to her father's sister Helen who died in a riding accident five years before her birth.
Who was the last Duchess of Edinburgh?
Upon the death of Prince Philip on April 9, 2021, Prince Charles acceded to the dukedom, which meant his wife, Camilla, became Duchess of Edinburgh.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla became Queen as her husband became King Charles III.
Sophie became Duchess of Edinburgh on her husband's 59th birthday when King Charles III granted him the title of their late father's.
How do you address the Duchess of Edinburgh?
The correct formal way to address the Duchess of Edinburgh is "Your Royal Highness".nd subsequently "Ma'am".
You can also address the Duchess as “Your Grace.”
The same goes for dukes.
Where do the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh live?
Prince Edward and his wife reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey.
It is believed that the Grade II listed building has 120 rooms, and sits on 51 acres of land.
The surrounding grounds sit within the Windsor Great Park and house a private lake.
