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Royal News

Sophie at 60: The Duchess of Edinburgh looks to the future

The Duchess of Edinburgh is putting gender equality at the heart of her work as she reaches a milestone birthday.

As Sophie celebrates her 60th, Buckingham Palace says she will be ’embracing and championing’ this focus with a ‘renewed sense of excitement and commitment’.

The big birthday is also being marked with a brand new portrait of The Duchess of Edinburgh, taken by an up and coming photographer.

Christina Ebenezer is known for her cinematographic inspirations and her use of innovative techniques to produce work she says is intended to ”highlight….the range of beauty we hold as individuals.” Born in Nigeria, Christina moved to London to join her family. Her work has already been on show at the National Portrait Gallery in partnership with Chanel.

Christina Ebenezer

The Duchess of Edinburgh was photographed at her home, Bagshot Park, earlier this month.

Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones was born on January 29th 1965 in Oxford and worked in PR before marrying Prince Edward at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor on June 19th 1999. In the quarter of a century since, she has worked extensively in gender equality and in areas including ending sexual violence in conflict.

The Duchess of Edinburgh is expected to celebrate her birthday privately with her husband at their home. Their two children are currently away from home: Lady Louise, 20, is at university while 17 year old James, Earl of Wessex is at boarding school preparing for A Levels.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.