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

[iceflower]

Today, November 5, the Earl and Countess of Wessex spoke to community leaders in Devon "about the county's response to Covid-19, and later heard from the Theatre Royal Plymouth about their arts programmes for disabled adults":


** Pic **

[swimmerkid]

Originally Posted by Heavs

The Queen has sent them as her representative several times and from that they made friends with other young royal couples and got invites on their own merit.

Whilst they don't get the big splashy royal tours on behalf of the government very often, neither do/did Anne or Andrew (alleged favourite). Sophie has made many trips to places like Hyderabad and Kenya and the now virtual Sierra Leone trip with her patronages and obviously Edward would be in Canada if possible right now. I do wish these trips got more attention for various reasons. They did get an official tour in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee to the West Indies and a few on other occasions.

I do think that Sophie is starting to get the "underrated, hardworking royal" articles that Anne has. Anne also went thought a very long who? phase in terms of visibility because she wasn't showy or interesting but I don't think that lessened her place with her parents. I also don't think that being the "forgotten, dependable ones" is such a bad thing at the moment, although it might feel like being the other brother with the Prodigal Son. Apart from anything else, they get to live their lives in peace as they see fit, unless they majorly screw up and they already know what that's like.

The situation with the patronages being given to the younger royals is unfortunate, although I can see why there was a push to go with the younger, high profile faces in theory, but that doesn't mean no one appreciates what they do with the ones they do have.

I'm taking the clothing situation with a pinch of salt but if at least partly true it wouldn't necessarily be unusual for that era especially with parents who grew up with rationing etc for the youngest in the family with two older brothers to live mostly in hand me downs, especially good quality ones.

I have no doubt rank does affect the family even in their private moments but they all have mixed feelings about The Firm but there hasn't been much to suggest that she bases her affections or appreciation on rank order, even though she was very busy for many years. Charles has talked about his difficulties with his parents and almost everyone BUT William has been mentioned as her "favourite grandchild" over the years.

https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/a-look...l-year-135537/

This look back at 2019 for the Wessexes suggests his parents do value their work, with the events they hosted, the Earldom Edward was given, the (not flashy) Patronage Sophie was handed and the trips they took. Many of them could not have happened without the acknowledgement of the Queen. They probably took up less of her time worrying about them because they didn't create an incident or terrible headlines though.

Edward and Sophie were the only relatively young married couple in the early-mid 2000s within the immediate Royal family so back then they used to get dispatched to various engagements / weddings of European royals as representives of the British Royal Family. So I think it started out as duty but over the years they have built up good relationships with the European Royals.

[eya]

"The Countess of Wessex has shown her support to @Girlguiding and @BBCCiN and completed her own #ActYourAge challenge. HRH, President @Girlguiding, put on her apron to earn a Pudsey badge and baked 55 cheese & bacon scones earlier this week! "


https://twitter.com/i/status/1326943675520327682

"On Thursday 12th November Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex made a private visit to our Foodbank to help out. Her Royal Highness spent time talking to volunteers about how they have responded to the Covid-19 emergency."


https://twitter.com/WKGFoodbank/stat...006080/photo/2

[iceflower]

Here's an article about her visit:


** dm article: Sophie Wessex packs essential supplies at a foodbank close to her Bagshot Park home..**

[iceflower]

Yesterday, November 18, the Countess of Wessex participated in a meeting of "Women Mediators across the Commonwealth Network, to celebrate the role of women peacebuilders":


** Pic **

[eya]

"On Friday 20 Nov, we were honoured to receive a virtual visit from His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex. His Royal Highness learned more about the work of the Lancashire Resilience Forum and how we're working together to support our residents during the pandemic."


https://twitter.com/LancsResilience/...320832/photo/1

"Today I stand with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, as we mark the International Day to End Violence against Women. To the inspirational survivors I have met through my support of @end_svc- we will continue to fight against the stigma and silence. - Sophie."


https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/stat...978117/photo/1

[MsJulie]

I am very surprised that Sophie does not have a mask on and is not staying 6 feet apart?! That is a disappointment. It appears the royal family will not be gathering around the Queen this year if they are so lax with mask wearing. IMOO....because she is a high profile royal, she sets an example to the citizens and well, she and her team goofed big time! I hope she nor her family or the ladies present get Covid or even the flu. Covid is an ugly virus that acts quickly.....already have lost a family member and it is devastating.

[Claire]

The photo was from several years ago. The Wessex's as is the whole are in lockdown again.
BP however should have given the date of the pic.

[HereditaryPrincess]

I agree that this was a bad PR move from Sophie's team. If they really wanted to include this particular photo, a notice that it was taken before the pandemic (as they do on some television programmes that are filmed before Coronavirus) would have been better.

[eya]

"Watch The Earl of Wessex, Patron, catch-up with the team @LondonYouth this week. HRH spoke to young Londoners Hannah, Jo-Ash and Zack about their involvement with @LondonYouth - a network of over 600 youth organisations that aims to improve the lives of young people."


https://twitter.com/i/status/1332019978426593280

[iceflower]

The Countess of Wessex visited the Disability Initiative in Camberley today, December 3, to mark the World Day of People with Disabilities:


** rex gallery ** gtresnews gallery ** gettyimages gallery **


** dm article: Royal Star Baker! Sophie Wessex makes flapjacks and Christmas decorations on..**


Meanwhile the Earl of Wessex visited Newbury Market to talk to traders about their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic:


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

[iceflower]

The Earl and Countess of Wessex helped at the charity FoodWise at Moorcroft Community Centre today, December 8:


** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **


** dm article: Countess of cookery! Sophie Wessex dons an apron and face mask as she’s joined by Prince Edward to help..**

[eya]

Countess of Wessex visits the Shooting Star Childrens Hospices charity shop to help it prepare for Christmas on 9 December in Hampton


https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2...this_event_adp

https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed...shop,_hampton?


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...rity-shop.html

[iceflower]

The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited the Corps of Army Music at Kneller Hall, Twickenham, London, today, December 10:


** rex gallery ** dailymail article **


** gettyimages gallery: GBR: The Earl And Countess Visit The Corps Of Army Music At Kneller Hall **

[Claire]

Hello,

Nice for Edward to join Sophie on one of her engagements.

[iceflower]

The Earl of Wessex "discussed climate change, youth activism and racial equality amongst young people with Silver DofE Award holder and recent Princeton University valedictorian, Nicholas Johnson":


** video **

[Claire]

A Christmas Message from HRH The Countess of Wessex

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uq0tZzONdM

[eya]

"The Earl and Countess of Wessex’s Christmas card as posted by a recipient.'

https://ta-images.condecdn.net/image...1277868527.jpg


https://twitter.com/MollyJParker/sta...947584/photo/1

[Claire]

Edward introducing the Christmas Carols on Christmas Day

https://twitter.com/ClassicFM/status...86507974766594

[iceflower]

The Countess of Wessex had a video meeting with representatives of The LSE Centre for Women, Peace and Security:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **