King Charles is looking to the future (Image: Getty Images)
, who married into the over 25 years ago, has steadily climbed the ranks to become one of the most respected and admired figures in the monarchy today. Her unwavering support for her husband , dedication to charitable causes, and warm, approachable demeanour have endeared her to both the royals and the public.
As she prepares to celebrate her milestone 60th birthday in January, broadcaster and author Katie Nicholl tells “Now, more than ever, we’re seeing what a vital cog Sophie is in the royal machine. People say she is the ‘secret weapon’ within the monarchy, and I think that’s absolutely true, because she’s always there at pivotal moments to help steady the ship. She’s seen as a very safe pair of hands, which really became evident during the final years of the late Queen’s life as she relied more and more on her substitutes.”
The Queen reportedly considered Sophie her “favourite daughter-in-law”, and their bond was so strong that Sophie was dubbed the monarch’s “rock” following the death of Prince Philip in April 2021. When the Queen passed away in September of the same year, Sophie and Edward were devastated, stating that the loss of the woman they affectionately called “Mama” had left “an unimaginable void in all our lives”.
In a Royal shake-up, Sophie, formerly known as the Countess of Wessex, has become Duchess after King Charles announced in March 2023 that Edward would inherit Philip’s Duke of Edinburgh title. This significant nod from the monarch underlines Sophie’s rising stature within The Firm.
A then Sophie Rhys-Jones with Prince Edward in 1999 (Image: PA)
Royal commentator Katie remarks: “She’s proved to be a real asset for the King during his illness, taking on ever more responsibility. He definitely values Sophie’s loyalty and all her hard work very highly.”
From a humble non-aristocratic background, Sophie Rhys-Jones carved out a successful career in public relations before she left it all behind upon meeting her prince charming in the 90s. She wed Prince Edward in June 1999 and they have two children: Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, both of whom keep a low profile.
Steering clear of Royal controversies, Sophie, a devoted mother, has been lauded for maintaining a low but effective presence within the royals. As Katie puts it: “One of the secrets of Sophie’s success is that she is so understated and willing to be in the background without overshadowing anyone. She just gets on with the job and doesn’t bring any trouble with her.”
King Charles with Sophie during a garden party in 2022 (Image: Getty Images)
Sophie’s grounded personality has been increasingly on display in recent times, as demonstrated during her appearance on CBeebies in October. She read a bedtime story for children to commemorate World Sight Day.
The brief tale, Specs For Rex, narrated the story of a lion who was scared to wear glasses to school. Sophie received universal acclaim for her gentle and relatable narration.
Despite being a public figure for nearly three decades, little was known about Sophie initially. “She was so quiet at first, and it took a very long time for her to be noticed,” Royal biographer Ingrid Seward tells the publication.
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She added: “Like the Princess of Wales, Sophie was waiting in the wings for years, but that’s probably how she thought she had to be as a woman joining the monarchy. She’s been plugging away behind the scenes, and has earned every ounce of respect she now has. It’s taken so long for people to realise what she does, and how much she takes on.”
In 2023, Sophie reportedly undertook 219 official engagements, ranking her among the top five most industrious royals, just slightly behind Princess Anne, the King, Prince Edward and Queen Camilla.
Her efforts increased even more throughout 2024, partly because the King and Princess of Wales only performed minimal duties during their respective cancer treatments.
The Duchess of Edinburgh meeting TT surgery beneficiary, Hadija Shaban Kawam (Image: /)
In September 2024, the Royal Court Circular revealed that Sophie had carried out a whopping 37 engagements, more than double the 18 she completed during the same month in the previous year. “A lot of her work goes unrecognised,” Katie commented.
“Not all her engagements are widely covered and I don’t understand why, because in any of her public events I’ve been to, she’s always very engaging and really gets involved. She is very warm, very approachable and popular with people. Everyone seems to like her and that’s worked in her favour enormously.”
In October, Sophie demonstrated her compassionate side as she became the first Royal to officially visit Chad in Africa. At a hospital near the Sudanese border, she embraced survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and was visibly moved as she addressed the media afterwards.
The Duchess of Edinburgh read CBeebies Bedtime Story Specs For Rex (Image: PA)
That same month, she and Edward embarked on a different kind of duty as they journeyed to Malta, following in the footsteps of the late Queen and Prince Philip. During their four-day trip, they became the first royals since 1951 to revisit Villa Guardamangia, where Elizabeth and Philip resided as newlyweds.
After touring the property, Sophie and Edward even recreated an old black and white photograph of the young couple on the villa’s rooftop. Commemorating the 60th anniversary of Malta’s independence, their visit also encompassed a wreath-laying ceremony to honour those who lost their lives in the Second World War, and a reception at the residence of the British High Commissioner.
In a 2021 interview, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, modestly commented on her and Prince Edward’s work ethic, stating, “We’ve plodded along doing what we’re doing, hopefully doing it well.”
Sharing a laugh with Charles at Ascot (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
When it was suggested that the couple had increased their Royal duties since the Sussexes and stepped back, she humorously retorted, “What did people think we were doing beforehand? ” Among other notable engagements, Sophie embarked on a solo trip to Tanzania in September, delivering a message from the King. She also attended the Paralympics in Paris with Edward during the summer.
In April, she became the first Royal to visit following ‘s invasion. On home soil, she displayed a more relaxed side, cuddling a chicken named Stumpy at an animal sanctuary and high-fiving children at Hale Community and Youth Centre in Surrey.
As patron of over 70 organisations and charities, Sophie advocates for causes supporting young people, women’s rights, and the disabled, and has shown a readiness to address stigmas around sensitive topics like menopause and menstruation. “It’s very refreshing, and I think it largely comes from the fact that she wasn’t born royal and came from a normal family,” Katie added.