The Countess of Wessex was born Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1965 in Oxford.

After working in public relations for over a decade, in 1999 Miss Rhys-Jones married The Earl of Wessex in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

As The Countess of Wessex, she acts in support of her husband in his roles, and undertakes public duties for a large number of her own charities.

She is particularly involved with charities relating to children, disabilities and communication problems.

View footage of Her Royal Highness visiting troops in Paderborn, Germany in 2008: