Sophie, Countess of Wessex, became part of the Royal Family when she married the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, on 19 June 1999. The couple tied the knot just months after announcing their engagement and they have two children together, Lady Louise Windsor, 15, and James Viscount Severn, 12. The royals met for the first time in 1987 but did not begin dating until 1993. Since entering the family, Sophie appears to have taken the role in her stride which could be because of this key reason.
When the pair met for the first time, Sophie was working in PR at Capital Radio and Edward was dating one of her friends.
Meeting again at a charity event six years later, they began dating and announced their engagement in 1999.
Sophie became a full-time working members of the Royal Family after the wedding, but it is her previous job which could be why she has fitted into the family so well.
The Countess worked in PR for a number of different companies and launched her own public relations agency, RJH Public Relations, in 1996.
Speaking in her 1995 book, Prince Edward, royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed the connection between her job and performance in the family.
She wrote: “Any romance with a member of the Royal Family is conducted on their terms. If Sophie had any reservations or complaints, she prudently kept them to herself.”
In the book, Kevin Morley, a founding member of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, told the author: “Being from a PR background, she was fully aware of the real world. She knew what she was getting into.”
Since marrying Edward, Sophie has become a royal favourite and she is thought to be close with the Queen, 93.
For the nuptials, the Queen reportedly gave her daughter-in-law a specially commissioned tiara to wear.
This gesture could have meant the Queen was already showing affection towards Sophie and it also seems like the Countess kept the tiara, as she has worn it again since.
They both have a love of horses and have ridden together around the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Although Edward is far down the line of succession, he and Sophie could be set to scoop some very important royal titles.
It is thought Prince Edward could be named the Duke of Edinburgh in the future, which would make Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh.
This title was carried by the Queen after she married and before she was coronated in 1953.
If this was the case, Sophie would show her importance in the family by scooping the title which was once held by the monarch.