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

The Edinburghs

Sophie marks her birthday by helping out at a vaccination centre

The Countess of Wessex celebrated her 57th birthday on Thursday and marked it by volunteering with St. John Ambulance. 

Sophie had a shift at an NHS vaccination centre in Surrey run by SJA. She was seen throughout the day talking with other volunteers and helping check patients in for their vaccination. 

This is not a new volunteering position for Sophie, as she volunteered with the organisation in 2021 to help with the vaccine launch and rollout. Although she is The Queen’s daughter-in-law, she was required to complete the same training that all SJA volunteers do. 

In a video shared by SJA, the Countess thanked all of the volunteers working on the vaccine program and urged anyone interested in helping to contact SJA for more information.

At the end of her shift, the group gave her a bouquet of flowers to mark her birthday, as well as a Covid badge as a thank you for her dedicated support throughout the global health crisis. 

SJA Chief Commissioner Ann Cable said, “We are honoured that the Countess of Wessex chose to spend her birthday with St John.

“It is a testament to the outstanding contribution of our volunteers, not just in response to the pandemic but in all the many different walks of life in which we provide first aid and other services to our communities.”

The Countess has been Grand President of the charity since 2004; the organisation provides disaster and humanitarian relief, as well as first aid training. 

The Countess has become an incredibly reliable working member of the Royal Family and is often referred to as the Royal Family’s “secret weapon.” She regularly carries out engagements on behalf of The Queen and supports numerous organisations as patron and/or president. 

It is thought that she is particularly close with her mother-in-law and is a trusted senior member of the family. The Royal Family’s Twitter account wished Sophie a happy birthday and shared a photo of her with a Labrador. 

About author

Historian and blogger at AnHistorianAboutTown.com