How Duchess Sophie became the royal family's quiet powerhouse

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has become one of the most respected and hard-working members of the royal family, transforming from a relatable middle-class woman into a royal force for good.

Born Sophie Rhys-Jones in Kent, she built a life before royalty with a successful PR career, time abroad, and a busy social life. 

But everything changed when she met Prince Edward. After their 1999 wedding, Sophie endured intense media scrutiny, personal tragedies including a near-fatal birth, and gave up her career to serve as a working royal.

While she maintained a low profile early on, Sophie has since emerged as a passionate advocate for causes close to her experience, from air ambulance services to supporting women through menopause.

Her most powerful work has been championing survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones, inspired by a meeting with actress Angelina Jolie in 2018. 

Sophie has travelled to Chad and Kosovo, speaking at the UN about ending stigma against survivors and pushing for women to have a seat at decision-making tables.

Now patron of Plan International UK, Sophie continues her humanitarian mission quietly but determinedly, embodying Queen Elizabeth II’s approval of service over spectacle.

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