Earl and Countess of Wessex and Family Current Events 10: November 2018 - March 2023

[eya]

"The Orpheaus Centre students had some questions for their Patron, The Earl of Wessex, this week! The Centre is a specialist college with residential accommodation for young adults with disabilities - they aim to develop independence & confidence through performing & visual arts.'

https://twitter.com/x/status/1268848459202940929

 

[Molly2101]

I love that they have a tortoise. That is so cute!

 

[Biri]

Pity that the Earl didn't show this tortoise!

 

[Gawin]

The Sunday Times has published a nice article & interview with the Countess of Wessex.

Some highlights:

On the Sussexes:
"“I just hope they will be happy,” is all Sophie will say now."

On her children:
"“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,” she adds. “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”'

On the Duke of York & Jeffrey Epstein scandal:
"Her voice drops. “I can’t comment on that,” she says.
It must be awkward, though, I venture.
“I am sorry. You can understand I can’t respond.”"

"Can Sophie, Countess of Wessex, steady the royal ship?" by Christina Lamb, The Sunday Times, June 6, 2020.

 

[Claire]

Odd that the interview was kept for so longer - I presume corona coverage but it is odd.

 

[Somebody]

The fact that Sophie presumes that her children are royal highnesses does explain why Louise did ride in a carriage at Trooping the Colour - as non-royal highnesses never did (as far as I am aware). So, in terms of their royal participation they are treated the same as Beatrice and Eugenie who have been known as royal highnesses from birth - because although not known as such, they have the same status?!

 

[Molly2101]

The fact that Sophie presumes that her children are royal highnesses does explain why Louise did ride in a carriage at Trooping the Colour - as non-royal highnesses never did (as far as I am aware). So, in terms of their royal participation they are treated the same as Beatrice and Eugenie who have been known as royal highnesses from birth - because although not known as such, they have the same status?!

I hadn’t thought of it like that but you are right - Louise and James are the only non titled royals (aside from fiancés) to have ridden in Trooping the Colour. Zara and Peter have never done it as far as I am aware. I just assumed Louise and James did because they assume their parents status until they turn 18; then they will be in the same position as Peter and Zara. For example, during royal processions Louise and James walk with their parents where as Peter and Zara do not. Peter and Zara even sit after the other HRH’s as this was demonstrated at William and Catherine’s wedding. I guess when Louise turns 18 it will be the same for her followed by James 4 years later.

 

[Durham]

The children of princess Margaret rode in a carriage at trooping.

 

[Molly2101]

The children of princess Margaret rode in a carriage at trooping.

So guess the theory that Louise and James rode because they’re secret HRH’s isn’t a working theory.

 

[Durham]

So guess the theory that Louise and James rode because they’re secret HRH’s isn’t a working theory.

Or Margret's children sneaked into a carriage when no one was looking.

 

[Somebody]

The children of princess Margaret rode in a carriage at trooping.

Thanks! Didn't know that. Did any other princess' children ride in the carriage; princess Mary's for example (I guess not, as she had several brothers - unlike princess Margaret who was Elizabeth's only sister).

 

[Lumutqueen]

Odd that the interview was kept for so longer - I presume corona coverage but it is odd.

Sorry, what do you mean?

 

[Claire]

Sorry for the confusion .

The interviewer went with Sophie to South Sudan - so that was what the original article was meant to be. There might have included a bio piece, but the fact that a sit down interview was not done then is odd. Maybe it was not part of the original brief? If a member of the press is included in the group, the photos and the one on one interview is scheduled then then - so that the article can get to print as close as possible to the engagement.

This interview and photo shot appears to have been done after the trip to Sudan, but we don't know how long after. So I can only think that the original article was pulled so that they could focus on Corona coverage. And then possibly the article was repackaged. Also this is an article for the Sunday Times proper not the magazine section where is ended up.

 

[Gawin]

According to the article the interview took place one week after both women had returned from South Sudan.

 

[Durham]

Thanks! Didn't know that. Did any other princess' children ride in the carriage; princess Mary's for example (I guess not, as she had several brothers - unlike princess Margaret who was Elizabeth's only sister).

I don't know if the Lascelles boys ever did I'm afraid.

 

[eya]

"It was so lovely of Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex to visit us last week to thank the volunteer sewing community for their efforts over the past months and to help sew masks and cut scrubs. Thank you so much for visiting!"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1270761244392382466

https://twitter.com/x/status/1271063668751548417

 

[Molly2101]

"It was so lovely of Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex to visit us last week to thank the volunteer sewing community for their efforts over the past months and to help sew masks and cut scrubs. Thank you so much for visiting!"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1270761244392382466

https://twitter.com/x/status/1271063668751548417

Love how much Sophie is doing.

She and Edward did some more today:

https://www.london-irish.com/news/poweringthenhs-welcome-two-royal-volunteers/bp2619/

 

[iceflower]

Sophie helped out at The Saints Foundation this week:



** dm article: Sophie Wessex continues her volunteering spree amid the coronavirus pandemic as she packs food and..**

 

[Princess Larisa]

Court Circular 2nd June:
St. James's Palace

The Earl of Wessex, Patron, the Orpheus Centre Trust, this morning participated in a Meeting with students, tutors and members of staff via video conference.

The Countess of Wessex, Chairman, Women’s Network Forum, this afternoon chaired a Meeting via video link.

Her Royal Highness subsequently held a Meeting with Admiral Timothy Fraser (Vice Chief of the Defence Staff) via video link.

Court Circular 10th June:
St James’s Palace

The Countess of Wessex, Patron, Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association, this afternoon held a Meeting with Mrs Kerry White and Master Mason White via video link in connection with their campaign to raise funds for #FightEB.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, Royal Mencap Society, afterwards held a Meeting via video link with Mrs Edel Harris upon assuming her appointment as Chief Executive Officer.

The Countess of Wessex, Patron, the Scar Free Foundation, later participated in a Meeting with Ambassadors via video link.

Court Circular 12th June:
St. James's Palace

The Earl of Wessex, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, this morning held a Meeting via video link.

 

[iceflower]

Today, June 17, the Countess of Wessex as Patron participated in a counselling shift at ChildLine in London:


** rex gallery **


** dm article: Sophie Wessex joins a counselling shift at the Childline headquarters as she thanks..**


And the Earl of Wessex has visited the Surrey Resilience Forum:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **


Earlier this week he had helped at godalmingtownc's community store:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **

 

[iceflower]

The Countess of Wessex opened the latest Women's Network Forum webinar on June 16:


** royaluk: Countess of Wessex keeps in touch with the Women’s Network Forum over lockdown **


Today, June 19, she joined a virtual UN event for the "Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict":



** Pic ** royaluk: Statement by The Countess of Wessex at the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict virtual UN event **

 

[eya]

"Countess of Wessex very much enjoyed picking her own berries. After the visit she commented that she had 'eaten her weight in fruit '."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1274075056872833033

Earl of Wessex and Lady Louise riding around Windsor

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...nce-Edward-enjoy-canter-Windsors-grounds.html

 

[iceflower]

Here are some more photos of her visit on June 18:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **

 

[Princess Larisa]

Court Circular 16th June:
St. James's Palace

The Countess of Wessex this morning held a Meeting with the Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict) via a video conference call.

Her Royal Highness, Chairman, Women's Network Forum, this afternoon opened "the Lifeboat Process", the second of a series of Women's Network Forum Webinars, via a video conference call.

Court Circular 17th June:
St. James's Palace

The Earl of Wessex this morning attended the Surrey Local Resilience Forum at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Croydon Road, Reigate, Surrey.

The Countess of Wessex, Patron, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, this morning visited the Childline Call Centre, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2.

 

[bertie5252003]

Sophie and Edward have been so fabulous during the UK lockdown quietly visible as usual and very supportive of their community and HM

 

[iceflower]

The Earl of Wessex as Patron of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra had a video conference with 8 young musicians:

 

[iceflower]

The Countess of Wessex in her role as Grand President of St John Ambulance visited the charity's Operational Support Hub today, June 23:



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Video **

 

[eya]

The Countess of Wessex joined a virtual event organised by the Scar Free Foundation, surprising all its attendees.

The Countess of Wessex as Patron of @DisInitiativetoday paid a visit to their Camberley Resource Centre to volunteer alongside the team and see first-hand how they have adapted.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1275816744817491972

https://twitter.com/x/status/1275816753277345792

 

[iceflower]

The Earl of Wessex visited the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Forum and was informed about the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service this week:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **


** andoveradvertiser: Hampshire's emergency services recognised in royal visit **

 

[iceflower]

The Countess of Wessex as Patron of the Shooting Star Children's Hospices helped out at the charity's Weybridge charity shop::



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **