Surprising Duchess Sophie facts you didn’t know about

Once known as the Countess of Wessex, Sophie has now earned a reputation as one of the Royal family’s most trusted and dependable members.

Despite her trusted role, she continues to guard her personal life, keeping it away from the public eye.

She garnered the title Duchess of Edinburgh after marrying Prince Edward in the late ‘90s and has been a dedicated full-time royal since.

Yet, with her preference for staying out of the spotlight, many may be surprised by how little is known about Sophie’s life on and off royal duty.

Here are some facts Royal fans may not know about:

Gave up her career to marry Prince Edward

Before crossing paths with her future husband, Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Sophie lived a very ordinary life. She grew up in a middle-class family in the London suburbs.

Sophie had built a career of her own before joining the Royal family. She first trained as a secretary at West Kent College before moving into public relations.

Her PR career consisted of many roles from working at Capital Radio to launching her own agency RJH publications in 1996. Sophie also ran the company along with her business partner Murray Harkin for five years before she met Prince Edward.

After tying the knot with the Prince in 1999, the Duchess gradually stepped away from her career. 

First international trip was to Prince Edward Island

Although Sophie began taking on Royal responsibilities soon after marrying Edward, she didn’t go on her first formal overseas engagement until 2000.

And when the couple did travel abroad, their location proved appropriately symbolic. They had travelled to Prince Edward Island in Canada.

Got engaged in the Bahamas

Following their six year romance, Prince Edward popped the question to Sophie while they were on vacation in the Bahamas. 

Initial title was Countess of Wessex

Before Prince Philip’s passing, Sophie held the titles of Countess of Esses, and Edward was known as Earl of Wessex.

Shortly after the passing of the Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, the title was passed to their youngest son, Edward, elevating him and Sophie to Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Patron of many organisations

In her role as a senior royal, Sophie serves as a patron to more than 70 charities and organisations.

For example most of her patronages cover organisations that work for equality for women, military workers, organisations fighting against avoidable blindness, food and farming, those with disabilities, young people, and sports generally; for example, she is patron of England Hockey and the British Cycling Federation.