Latest news with #SophieWessex
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Duchess of Edinburgh brushes off suggestions she is ‘Royal Secret weapon' as she speaks at Bosnia genocide anniversary
THE Duchess of Edinburgh brushed off suggestions she is the 'Royal Secret weapon' but admitted "I like to fly under the radar". She was speaking in Bosnia, where she hugged mothers fighting for justice after 30 years and laid flowers at a cemetery where 7,000 genocide victims are buried. 3 3 3 She read a message of "hope" from the King and said "I hope that I make a difference". It is now more than two years since she was made the first Duchess of Edinburgh since the late Queen Elizabeth II. She said it's "emotional" and was "quite a big moment" to follow in her footsteps. In the past year, Sophie, 60, has traveled to Chad in Africa to highlight the refugee crisis in the Sudan conflict. She was the first member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine. This week she marked 30 years since the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia. She works closely with the UK government on projects highlighting and tackling sexual violence on women in conflict zones. Despite marrying the King's younger sibling Prince Edward 26 years ago, she has often been dubbed "The Royal Family's secret weapon". Speaking to The Sun on Sunday at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial this week she laughed off the nickname, saying: "It's all very well being a secret weapon but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret. She then added: "I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment. Sophie Wessex weeps as she meets women raped in exchange for food & water on harrowing trip to war victims in Chad "I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said, admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more are becoming less secretive. "I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next." Sophie became Duchess of Edinburgh after Edward was named Duke on his 59th birthday in March 2023. The last duchess was the late Queen who held the title for five years between her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947 and accession in 1952. Asked about losing her former Countess of Wessex title she joked "I quite liked her". But speaking about taking on the late Queen's title, said: "It was quite large shoes to fill. "For me it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes. It felt like quite a big moment. 'But of course being practical, my role and my husband's role is to support the King, as it was to support the Queen, and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in a front and centre role. "It allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here. "It so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. 'But yes, we are there to support and that will continue." There have been calls for Sophie to be given more responsibility and The Sun understands there are motives behind palace walls for her to have a greater role after the deaths of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the banishment of Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which all left a heavier workload for the rest of the family. But over the years Sophie has quietly been working on serious and often traumatic topics such as women suffering sexual violence in conflict zones. In Bosnia, she had a heart-to-heart with families pleading for help from local politicians to find and identify the remains of thousands who were slaughtered and are still missing from the 1990s conflict in Eastern Europe. And at the Srebrenica Genocide Centre she embraced mothers who have fought tirelessly for justice from authorities. Sophie said: "It can take its toll on emotions, that's for sure. "They are not easy subject matters, they never are. "But every time I go somewhere it serves to strengthen my resolve to do as much as I can and to continue to tread this path because I have absolute faith in the women of the world to solve so many issues that we have alongside men, who of course, we can't do it without. She said: "It is always emotional, of course it is always emotional, but you have to see through the emotion to find the strength and it is always there. "I hope that my activity in this area creates continuity". She added: 'But I hope that I make a difference. It's very hard because sometimes these issues are very overwhelming because of the scale. "But I think if I can keep banging the drum it perhaps creates traction somewhere. "It would be too easy to give up." And many of the people she met in Bosnia who shared their harrowing stories will be hoping she continues to tackle the difficult topics.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lady Louise Windsor is joined by her rumoured university boyfriend and the Duchess of Edinburgh as she competes in carriage driving festival
Lady Louise Windsor was spotted enjoying a day out with her family - and her rumoured boyfriend - at The Sandringham Festival of Carriage Driving today. The 21-year-old, who is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, this afternoon took part in a competition at the annual festival in Norfolk. The royal, who currently in the third year of her English degree at St Andrew's University, was joined by a band of supporters, including her mother, Sophie, 60, and Felix da Silva-Clamp, who she is understood to be in a relationship with. Aboard a carriage, the young royal was seen driving a sleek black horse across the concourse while Felix, dressed casually in a pale blue shirt, walked alongside. The pair beamed as they chatted with one another. Louise and Felix first met at St Andrew's, where their close bond has became the source of vast speculation, with many believing the two to be romantically linked. They appeared relaxed in each other's company on Friday, both smiling as they enjoyed a conversation. During one particularly jovial moment, Louise appeared to dangle her whip into the air for Felix to clap between his hands. Meanwhile, doting Sophie was seen at the perimeter of the course, snapping photos of her daughter - who is known to share the late Queen Elizabeth II's love for horses. Felix also appeared to get on well with the Duchess this afternoon, as the pair enjoyed watching Louise in action. She has oft been hailed as the royal family 's 'secret weapon', thanks to her natural poise combined with a down-to-earth nature and resemblance to her grandmother. And the young royal seems to be making the most of her studies. In pictures released in March earlier this year, the 16th in line to the throne was seen masterfully taking to the stage alongside her university friends as they all starred in a play. She is known to have taken lead roles alongside Felix, who also shares her passion for theater. The rumoured lovebirds were also was seen cosying up to Felix at her 21st birthday last November. The duo wrapped their arms around each other, gently placing their heads together as Lady Louise took selfies on her phone, while in another image, she was seen snuggling up to Felix, placing her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder. The pair have been forging a strong bond over the past two years, with Felix - whose father is a solicitor - even reportedly travelling down to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk to see Louise at her driving competition in June, where she won an impressive silver medal. If the couple go the distance they will follow in the footstep of William and Kate, who also met when they were students at St Andrews - and Felix already seems at ease with the family. The young man works in an ice cream parlour in St Andrews while undertaking his studies, according to the Daily Express, and Lady Louise herself has experience of taking on a low-key part-time job despite her royal status. In 2022, she spent the summer working at a garden centre before embarking on her higher education. Louise was said to have been helping out on the tills, greeting customers, and pruning and potting plants - for £6.63 per hour. One customer said: 'She is a really modest and sweet young woman who is polite and attentive to customers. She seemed to be loving the job. You'd never imagine the Queen's granddaughter would take on a role working behind a till.' Another added: 'The staff seemed to adore her. It's not every day you buy your begonias off a royal.' As part of Lady Louise's four-year English Literature degree programme, undergraduates can study a semester abroad. Although Felix was born in London, he went to Melbourne Grammar School and his mother, who works for the World Health Organisation's mental health gap action programme, currently lives Down Under. It has been reported that Lady Louise is too keen to jet off to Australia for her final year - with Macquarie University at the top of her list. A source told the Express that due to Felix previously attending a school overseas, studying in another country is an option they're considering. However, the plan has not been finalised yet. Thus far, Lady Louise has ensured her studies come first as she completes her degree - missing out on two Easter Sunday services in a row as she stayed in Edinburgh. Despite being cousins with Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Prince William and Prince Harry, Louise uses the title 'Lady' rather than 'Princess'. She was not made a princess at birth because her father, Prince Edward, wanted to shield her from the pressures of a life in the public eye. Speaking to The Sunday Times in 2020, her mother, Sophie, explained: 'We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles.' Louise has previously expressed an interest in pursuing a career in 'the military, diplomacy or law'. A source told The Sun in August: 'She talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving the King and country. She is all about the Army Cadets and has fallen in love with it.' If Lady Louise goes down the military path, she will be the first female royal since her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to do so. She is thought to have been extremely close with her late grandmother, having paid nearly fortnightly visits to Elizabeth and Phillip. Royal expert Ingrid Seward has previously explained that Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, 'were the grandchildren that they saw the most'. In comparison, 'while the older ones were seen less frequently, this little girl was there every weekend'. It was even reported that Louise had no idea her grandmother was the Queen until later in life, her parents wanting to preserve a 'normal childhood' for her. Her mother, Sophie, once revealed in at an interview that as a child, Louise had come home one day saying: 'Mummy, people keep on telling me that grandma is the Queen.' Lady Louise was their seventh grandchild. And for Philip, she brought not just joy but a sense of personal pride. This was because she became the first royal to officially carry the surname Mountbatten-Windsor - so allowing Philip's surname, Mountbatten, to continue into the future of the Royal family.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Sophie & Edward Wessex could take over from Meghan & Harry – they're no spring chickens but at least people like them
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry ditched royal duties five years ago - but could be replaced by Sophie and Edward Wessex, according to experts. Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, the topic of whether the "House of Edinburgh" could replace the "House of Sussex" was discussed. 9 9 9 ITV's Royal Editor Chris Ship claimed: 'I don't think replace like for like. 'I think they could be an additional resource for Buckingham Palace. 'Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh now, recently celebrated his 60th birthday, so they're not spring chickens either. 'But I take your point that they are that sort of generation in between William and Kate and the King and Queen.' Last week, Prince William, 42, and his aunt Sophie, 60, teamed up in a rare royal engagement together. They toasted each other with gin at the Royal Cornwall Show — and she proved to be a tonic by helping out with the heir to the throne's duties. Sources said the day was a huge success, with Sophie previously being touted as the Royal Family's 'secret weapon' thanks to her unwavering support for the monarchy and dedication to charities. Sophie, who is mum to Lady Louise, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, was ranked the fourth hardest working royal of last year, having carried out 257 engagements. The Sun's Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson pointed out: 'We currently have the King and the Queen and we have the Waleses. 'The Yorks are excommunicated, the Sussexes have disappeared. Sun lipreader Kayleigh Harris said Princess Kate turns to Sophie Wessex and says she will be supported in this 'We don't actually have many working rules. We need Sophie and Edward.' Royal Correspondent Bronte Coy agreed, and praised Sophie for her ability to 'connect with people.' She shared: 'I always feel when we see these pictures of Sophie out on engagements or in this case the one with William which was so much fun. 'The two of them were joking about having a drink together and they just had this easy banter. You can tell they get along. 'When you see her out and about engaging with people, it's always just a really easy thing to watch her do it. 9 9 'She does it with such ease. She connects with people so well and you wonder why we don't see more from her. because exactly as you say, there's a space for it. 'I think that hopefully there will be more of that in the future, especially as the Waleses move up through the ranks, down the line, whenever that is. 'I think the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have a really good way of, not to sound ageist at all, but to bridge the gap, to broaden the demographic of appeal for the Royals. 'You've got William and Catherine that are in their 40s and then you've got the others who are in their 70s. 'Sophie and Edward are in the middle there and people really like them and they work very hard.' 9 TOUGH ROYAL TIMES Sophie's welcome contribution comes at a difficult time for the Royal Family. They were rocked last year when the King and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. Charles continues to receive treatment, while Kate announced earlier this year that she was in remission. 9 9 9 Princess Kate is said to have found a 'tower of strength' in the Duchess of Edinburgh as she supported her throughout her cancer diagnosis. Royal biographer Claudia Joseph has claimed the pair have an 'unbreakable bond.' She told Fabulous: "I'm sure that Sophie has been a tower of strength through Kate's cancer diagnosis and will be there for her at the end of the phone whenever she wants a chat. 'They are incredibly close and live only 11 miles from each other – Kate in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park and Sophie at Bagshot Park.' Sophie and Prince Edward's royal romance When Sophie met Edward in 1987 she was a PR for Capital Radio, but it was six years before they started dating. They then began a romance in earnest, but went to great lengths to avoid photographers, especially when Sophie began staying overnight at Edward's three-room apartment in Buckingham Palace. When calling Sophie at her office, the Prince would use the name Richard — not that he fooled her colleagues for long. Six years after they started going out, Edward proposed, with a £105,000 ring from Crown jewellers Garrard. Starting a family was not straightforward. In 2001 Sophie suffered an ectopic pregnancy. In 2003, the birth of daughter Louise was similarly dramatic. The baby was a month premature and Sophie lost nine pints of blood, had a caesarean and was in hospital for 15 days. In 2007 she had another caesarean giving birth to son James. Last summer, during the break before the second lockdown, Edward, Sophie and their children, now 17 and 13, were among the first to stay with the Queen and Philip at Balmoral, and the last to leave.
Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Duchess of Edinburgh just revived broderie anglaise. Here's how to wear it
Broderie anglaise is aptly named. There is something unmistakably English about the delicate eyelets and starched cotton, which conjure up images of babies getting christened in village churches, little girls tumbling through overgrown gardens and Jane Birkin outdoing the French at the beaches and bars of Saint-Tropez. Romantic yet practical, nostalgic yet modern, it is the fabric of long lazy lunches and sun-dappled weddings. Of course, it is not a material that fares all that well in winter – but luckily the Duchess of Edinburgh is here to remind us that (no matter the whims of the weather gods) it is now June, and therefore high time to dig out our broderie anglaise tops, skirts and dresses from hibernation. Pictured this week in a £210 drop-tiered blue dress with three-quarter length sleeves by Aspiga, Sophie Wessex has updated the 1970s broderie anglaise trend in a very 2025 way: then, the fabric was almost exclusively white, now it comes in a multitude of colours from citrussy yellow and orange to navy, sage and black, all of which kill Victorian nightgown associations in their tracks and add some edge to the prettiness. 'I was so thrilled to see Sophie Wessex in our best-selling Victoria dress in this beautiful broderie anglaise,' says Lucy Macnamara, the founder of Aspiga. 'This is one of my favourite fabrics for the summer, which is made from responsibly sourced cotton and has these large cut-out floral motifs that catch the light in the most flattering way.' Designers have taken note. In Michael Kors' and Ulla Johnson's spring/summer collections, broderie anglais made for a clear highlight. Similarly, Susan Fang leaned into the romance of the material in her catwalk show by sending out a long, white, tiered broderie anglaise gown that, despite having all the trappings of a wedding dress, looked far too cool to be bridal. The high street has also embraced the broderie renaissance. As well as Aspiga, brands like Boden, Hobbs and Me+Em have released an array of dresses with flattering mid-calf hemlines, waist ties and pretty puff sleeves: the sort of styles that would be your most-worn piece on holiday while being equally useful under a trench coat in sullen-skied Britain. 'It's the perfect material for summer in that it works for so many different occasions,' says Macnamara. 'It is so easy to style up with block heels or espadrilles for all the summer occasions ahead, or to wear in a more casual way in the day with raffia sliders. I like to team broderie anglaise with a blazer for evening or denim jacket for day.' But if your taste leans more towards the utilitarian than the ultra-feminine, then fear not, broderie anglaise still has a place in your summer wardrobe. Oversized shirts from brands like Marks & Spencer or caftans from Jigsaw make for the perfect beach cover-up: laid-back but with a dash of texture. A crisp blouse – try Boden, Soeur or John Lewis – can be paired with jeans or denim shorts for a look that is more Cafe de Flore pre-tourist invasion than English garden party. Or try a sleeveless top – either from Gap x Doen or Nobody's Child – for a look that manages to be both polished and insouciant. One of the more unexpected (and jaunty) broderie comebacks has taken place south of the ankle. Penelope Chilvers has colourful Mary-Jane espadrilles in ivory, red and blue with contrast broderie anglaise detailing on the toes. Or there is Bensimon, the quintessential French plimsoll brand, which has released a collection that gives their beloved tennis shoes a soft broderie twist. Pretty but most definitely practical, these shoes are ideal for wandering down cobbled streets, traipsing across sunny parks or queuing for an ice cream under big blue skies. And really, what could be more summery than that?
