SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

The Edinburghs

The Queen to hold reception celebrating the work of The Earl and Countess of Wessex

The Queen is to hold a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 10th February to celebrate the work of The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Prince Edward and The Countess will join Her Majesty in meeting staff and volunteers from a variety of charities, of which they are Patron or President.

The Countess of Wessex recently celebrated her 50th birthday and it’s been suggested that the event also marks a belated celebration for Her Royal Highness.

The Countess of Wessex aboard the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in 2013

The Countess of Wessex aboard the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in 2013

Key supporters from the sports and arts fields are likely to attend. Since 1992, Edward has been the Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award International Council, working to promote and support the award which his father created in 1956.

The Earl works closely with a large amount of sporting organisations, including Great Britain’s Paralympic team. He is Patron of Paralympics GB and Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, both of which are likely represented at the Palace next week.

The arts industry will spend the afternoon rubbing shoulders with the royals too, including alumni and staff from the Northern Ballet and National Youth Theatre, of which The Earl is Patron.

The Countess, who works hard to support charities involved with families and young people, will meet with staff and volunteers from the NSPCC, MENCAP and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

Sophie is particularly passionate about helping children with disabilities and eradicating preventable blindness. On her 50th birthday, she and The Earl visited the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where they were given an overview of the Avoidable Blindness Programme.

The Queen will also meet representatives from The London College of Fashion and Girlguiding UK. Sophie became the College’s first ever Patron in 2013 and the Girlguiding President in 2003. Her Majesty and her sister, Princess Margaret, enrolled as a Guide and Brownie, respectively, in 1937 and Princess Margaret would become the organisation’s Patron in 1965.

Alongside the charities and organisations will be representatives from The Earl and Countess’s military appointments.

Edward holds eight appointments in the Armed Forces Three of the eight based in Canada. Edward is Colonel-in-Chief of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, Prince Edward Island Regiment and the Saskatchewan Dragoons.

Sophie is Colonel-in-Chief, Corps of Army Music and of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. She holds seven appointments in total; with two based in Canada.

Image Credit: Orbis UK via photopin cc

Featured Image Credit: surreynews via photopin cc

About author

James is Royal Central's Director of Broadcasting and Communications. He's a recognised royal commentator and correspondent and has experience with numerous TV and radio networks including the BBC, ITV, Sky, CNN and MSNBC among others.