The Countess of Wessex was born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones on 20 January 1965 in Oxford.

Her Royal Highness is the second child and first daughter of Christopher Bournes Rhys-Jones and the late Mary Rhys-Jones. She has an elder brother David.

Miss Rhys-Jones’s family moved to Kent when she was still young and she began her education at Dulwich College Preparatory School in Cranbrook.

She progressed to Kent College School for Girls, Pembury, before completing her education at West Kent College.