Countess of Wessex makes rare comment on replacing Queen in this important role

Sophie, Countess of Wessex has spoken out about replacing the Queen in an important role.

• Sophie, Countess of Wessex has made a rare comment on replacing Queen Elizabeth II in an important role.
• The Countess took over from the monarch as patron of a significant charity.
• In other royal news, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle have broken their silence on a rumoured upcoming reality TV series.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex has spoken about replacing Queen Elizabeth II in an important role as the patron of a significant charity.

The Countess, who is married to the Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward, took over from the monarch as the patron of NSPCC charity back in 2016.

Speaking about the important role, she told Good Housekeeping, “this was the first patronage that Her Majesty asked me to take on and I accepted the honour immediately.

“The NSPCC is one of the UK’s most well-known and respected children’s charities and its name has been familiar to me for as long as I can remember. I am proud that I can support the work being done to prevent child abuse and neglect, and support those who do not have adults that protect them.”

Countess Sophie also gave some rare insight into her two children, 16-year-old Lady Louise Windsor and 12-year-old James, Viscount Severn, speaking about the role of social media in their lives.

“At the moment, my children aren’t into social media, however, it is here to stay, so it’s important for them to understand it and for us to equip them with the tools to navigate it successfully. Again, I think openness is one way families can support their teenagers.

Touching on her work with children’s charity Childline, Countess Sophie added, "If children feel they can discuss issues and worries with their parents, without fear of them, or their friends, being judged, this may give opportunity to help them with what can be a complex and very pressured area.

“It’s so important that young people have adults in their lives who support and affirm them. Particularly when the virtual world can be, at times, unkind. Young people need to know they can trust someone with a problem, be that a person directly involved in their life or, of course, Childline is always there for them.”