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Sophie, Countess of Wessex is married to the Queen and Prince Philip’s youngest son, Prince Edward, 56. She enjoys a close relationship with her mother-in-law, often praised for her positivity and “soothing presence”.

She is also often the Queen’s first choice when it comes to company for church, sharing the backseat on the way to Sunday services.

Now Sophie, 55, has given a rare interview, speaking about social media and parenting.

Speaking to Town and Country magazine, Sophie spoke of how she hopes her children will be open with her, and the dangers social media can pose.

The magazine followed the Countess as she did a volunteer shift at the Childline offices in June.

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Of her work with the NSPCC, Sophie said it was the first patronage handed to her directly from The Queen, in 2016.

She said she “accepted the honour immediately.”

Sophie said: “The NSPCC is one of the UK’s most well-known and respected children’s charities and its name has been familiar to me for as long as I can remember.

“I am proud that I can support the working being done to prevent child abuse and neglect, and support those who do not have adults that protect them.”

In the same interview, Sophie spoke about her two children, Lady Louise, 16, and James, Viscount Severn, 12.

She spoke about her children’s social media usage and how important it is for parents to speak to their kids about going online.

Sophie said: “At the moment, my children aren’t into social media, however, it is here to stay, so it’s important for them to understand it and for us to equip them with the tools to navigate it successfully.

“Again, I think openness is one way families can support their teenagers.”

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She continued: “If children feel they can discuss issues and worries with their parents, without fear of them, or their friends, being judged, this may give opportunity to help them with what can be a complex and very pressured area.

“It’s so important that young people have adults in their lives who support and affirm them.

“Particularly when the virtual world can be, at times, unkind.

“Young people need to know they can trust someone with a problem, be that a person directly involved in their life or, of course, Childline is always there for them.”

This is a trait Sophie shares with Prince William, about wanting to be open with their children.

Speaking in 2017, William told Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) how he hopes his children can be open with their emotions.

William, 34, said: “Catherine and I are clear that we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings.

“Emotional intelligence is key for us all to deal with the complexities of life and relationships.”

At the time young Prince Louis had not been born, but no doubt William wishes this for his youngest son too.

Prince William has become a pioneer for mental health in recent years, one of his many royal duties seeing him front intiative Head’s Together.

Head’s Together is a charity which combines a campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health with fundraising for a series of innovative new mental health services.

The charity collaborated with the FA Cup this year, as part of a campaign to start the biggest ever conversation on mental health through football.

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