The Earl of Wessex is the third son and youngest child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. He was born on 10 March 1964 and christened Edward Antony Richard Louis.
Upon his marriage to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, he was created The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. At the same time it was announced that His Royal Highness will be given the title Duke of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex both carry out many engagements in support of The Queen, and on behalf of a number of organisations with which they are associated.
Prince Edward and Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones announced their engagement on 6 January 1999 and were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 19 June 1999.
Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones is the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Christopher Rhys-Jones. Born in Oxford on 20th January 1965, she was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and Kent College School For Girls before embarking on a career in public relations. Upon marriage Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones became known as HRH The Countess of Wessex.
The Countess of Wessex gave birth to a baby daughter, Louise, by Caesarian section on 8 November 2003.
At the time of their wedding it was decided, with the couple's agreement, that any children they have should not be given the style His or Her Royal Highness, but would have courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an earl.
Accordingly, their daughter is known as The Lady Louise Windsor.
CAREER
Like many members of the Royal Family, The Earl of Wessex undertook military service for a time after leaving university, joining the Royal Marines for three years.
For many years, Prince Edward worked in the theatre and television production industries, successfully running his own business, Ardent Productions, for nearly ten years.
Prior to that he worked for two theatrical production companies, notably Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company, looking after Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express and Cats, as well as being involved with the production of Aspects of Love.
The Earl of Wessex announced in 2002 that he and The Countess of Wessex had decided to concentrate on supporting The Queen during the Golden Jubilee and beyond, and helping the Royal Family shoulder some of the increasing workload into the future.
They therefore withdrew from their respective companies, Ardent Productions and R-JH, in order to focus their energies more into supporting those organisations, charities, individuals and companies who deserve to be recognised for their effort, initiative and entrepreneurship.
