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Sophie, the Countess of Wessex has marked her 50th birthday with the release of a special portrait to celebrate her half-a-century.
It’s hard to believe that the stunning Countess has reached 50 years of age as it seems she’s hardly aged a day! To celebrate, the palace released a special official portrait (above, left) to mark the occasion – which is officially on the 20th January.
The simple yet elegant portrait by royal photographer Richard Young shows a relaxed Sophie looking positively glowing after dropping two dress sizes. Sophie’s new look is thanks to a recent new fitness regime which includes swimming, Pilates and working out weekly with a trainer in the grounds of her Surrey home.
Wife to Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, Prince Edward, Sophie is said to enjoy a particularly close relationship with Her Majesty. Countess Sophie wed Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex in 1999, at the age of 35, and has two children with him: James, Viscount Severn, 7, and Lady Louise Windsor, 11.
Related: Queen says Fergie can party at the Palace for her 55th birthday
While she may be one of the less publicly visible royals, Sophie is nonetheless one of the most active members of the royal family in terms of commitments.
The Countess is passionate in her work to eradicate preventable blindness, particularly after her daughter Lady Louise, underwent surgery last year for the eye condition exotropia.
Sophie will even attend to official duties on the matter on her actual birthday as she and Prince Edward are scheduled to attend a demonstration of the avoidable blindness programme at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The Countess is also patron of the charity Vision 2020: The Right to Sight, and a ‘global ambassador’ for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
After her duties on Tuesday, the Countess is also expected to be named as the new vice-patron of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.
The Earl and Countess have also been scheduled to tour Finland next month, Buckingham Palace has announced.
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