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Sophie Rhys-Jones became the Countess of Wessex when she married Prince Edward, the Queen’s youngest son. The couple celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary on Friday, June 19 this year, and have two children together, Lady Louise Windsor, born in 2003, and James, Viscount Severn, born in 2007.

Having been a part of the British Royal Family for a long time, Sophie has become a popular figure.

The 55-year-old has often been described as “the Queen’s favourite” and has become a more prominent figure in the last months.

She has been praised for her commitment to public service, her support to the Queen and to her husband.

Last year, a former royal equerry revealed the Queen finds Sophie’s presence “soothing”.

They said: “If Sophie Wessex is staying at Sandringham then you can pretty much guarantee the Queen will ask her – usually last thing on a Saturday night – if she would like ‘a lift’ to the church.

“And the same happens at Balmoral. The Queen likes to be completely calm before church and she finds Sophie’s presence soothing.

“Who gets the backseat is also one of those quirky royal ways that signals who is in favour – for example Princess Anne may be staying at the same time, but how often do you see her in the Rolls?”

And there’s a reason the Queen could be closer to Sophie than other spouses of her family members, such as Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

According to sources, the fact Sophie has been married the longest and not divorced is of huge important to the Queen.

While Sophie and Edward married in 1999, Kate only married Prince William in 2011.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall married Prince Charles in 2005, after they had both previously been married.

A senior aide has previously said of Sophie: “She is trusted and relied on by the Queen in a way I couldn’t say applied to the Duchess of Cambridge or the Duchess of Cornwall.

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“She is like another daughter to Her Majesty, they are that close.

“The Queen is also mindful that Sophie’s marriage has survived where her other children’s relationships have failed – and she knows that is in no small way down to Sophie’s dedication – she is aware, as his Edward’s mother, what a tricky creature he can be.

“And not only has Sophie flourished as a dedicated, albeit still relatively junior member of the Royal family, she has brought up two teenagers who are well-balanced, sporty, amusing and delightful.”

Recently, Prince Edward, Sophie and their children joined the Queen and Prince Philip at Balmoral in Scotland.

The visit, which followed all coronavirus guidelines from the Government, is said to be telling of the Queen’s relationship with the Wessexes.

Sophie’s daughter, Lady Louise, also has a close relationship with her grandmother due to their shared passion for horses.

The two have been photographed going horse riding on numerous occasions.

Like her grandparents, Lady Louise is a huge fan of horse riding and is no doubt very much enjoying her time with her family during the school holidays.

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