The Countess of Wessex carries out a full schedule of official and working engagements in the UK and overseas in support of The Queen and The Earl of Wessex, and of the large number of charities and organisations with which she is involved.

Her Royal Highness is particularly committed to promoting the work and need of organisations that focus on helping and improving opportunities for children and young people with sensory, learning and communications disabilities. These include Dyslexia Action, Mencap, the National Autistic Society, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Vision 2020.

View footage of the Countess visiting a National Autistic Society school in Kent:

The Countess also has a strong personal interest in the provisions for people with disabilities and embracing opportunities for young people. Her Royal Highness champions both local initiatives such as Disability Initiative in Surrey as well as national charities such as Childline.

Her Royal Highness supports The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and chairs the Women in Business Group which works to promote the Award amongst business.

The Countess has been the President of Girl Guiding UK since 2003 and supports the work of Tomorrow's People which works to improve opportunities to get young people into employment.

In recent years, The Countess of Wessex has become involved in the world of agriculture and held the position of Show President of the Royal Bath and West Show in 2010 before becoming Vice Patron in 2011. Her Royal Highness is also Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) and has accepted patronage of the The Border Union Agricultural Society for its bicentennial year 2013.

View footage from The Countess of Wessex's visit to Cornwall in March 2013:

The Countess also works to support the ‘Campaign for Wool’ which was set up by The Prince of Wales and aims to promote the use of British wool.

Her Royal Highness holds seven military appointments.

In 2007, she became Royal Colonel of 5th Battalion The Rifles following the reorganisation of the Infantry. Her Royal Highness regularly visits the Battalion at their base in Germany and has visited them on several occasions while on operational duties, including in Afghanistan in December 2011.

View a video of the Countess visiting the battalion in Germany:

The Countess of Wessex is also Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Army Music and of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps and meets service personnel and their families whenever possible.

In 2006 Her Royal Highness was appointed Sponsor of HMS Daring and, in 2008, Honorary Air Commodore of Royal Air Force Wittering.

The Countess holds two military positions in Canada: Colonel in-Chief of The South Alberta Light Horse and Colonel-in-Chief of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

For a full list of The Countess of Wessex's charities and special associations, search our database.