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The Edinburghs

The Countess of Wessex teases new official image

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

In the middle of a day packed with five royal engagements, the Countess of Wessex stopped to pose for a new portrait for one of the organisations she supports. Sophie has been snapped for an official photo for St. John Ambulance and she shared the promise of the new image on social media.

The countess was seen getting ready for the photo session on the official Royal Family Instagram account. Amidst the grandeur of a room at St. James’ Palace in London, she puts on a cape bearing the famous insignia of the organisation which supports work in first aid and medical emergencies. Telling the photographer that she’s ‘not sure’ she’s worn this particular cloak before, she then strides through a pile of white sheets on the floor to take her place for the picture.

Royal Family Instagram Stories/ screen grab/ fair use

The news of a new official photo of Sophie came as the countess took over the Royal Family’s Instagram stories for the day. Throughout February 27th 2020, her engagements were captured on camera and added to the social media platform. And she was certainly busy. As well as posing for the new official portrait, Sophie was also seen visiting the Central School of Ballet where she opened new studios named in her honour.

She later held a meeting with representatives of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps of which she is Colonel -in-Chief and patron and another with an Air Commodre from RAF Wittering where she is Honorary Air Commodore. The evening saw the Countess of Wessex host a reception for the Central School of Ballet at Buckingham Palace before attending the premiere of the film ‘Sulphur and White’ held in central London. The movie is the story of trader and mountaineer, David Tait, whose own experiences led him to support the work of the NSPCC of which Sophie is patron.

Sophie has been Grand President of St. John Ambulance since 2004. She will visit its headquarters in West Yorkshire in March. It’s not yet known when the new official photo will be shared.

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.