As their royal tour has gotten underway, the Wessexes have been met with protests and demands for reparations, reminiscent of the same issues that confronted Prince William and Kate Middleton on their Caribbean tour last month. Sophie kept the joke going, doubling down on the idea that Oprah isn't necessarily a well-known figure in the United Kingdom. ", Reparations calls are not new, but have had increased attention in recent years. Visit our corporate site. This was before she had even met and before she was even dating Prince Edward.. Ms Nikkhah said: "It was a very painful lesson for her to learn but the fact that she was able to be rehabilitated after that shows just how valued she was, and still is, in the Royal Family.". Did Meghan Markle Secretly Hint at Her WME Deal? However, Sophie stepped into it a bit deeper. Royal author Angela Levin said: "She was asked about Charles and Camilla and she said that a lot of people didn't want Camilla to be queen. The couple met at a tennis event in 1993 and married at St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, in 1999. "You know, if youre not into chat shows, theres no reason why you should know who she is. Princess Michael's decision to wear the brooch comes as Markle and Harry's engagement has renewed discussions about the ongoing culture of racism and classism in British high society. SheKnows is a part of Penske Media Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Certainly not in this country, anyway, Sophie, Countess of Wessex says of Oprah in a new interview given to The Telegraph.https://t.co/XRNtMh8DOfJune 4, 2021. Sophie also made unflattering remarks about William Hauge who was the leader of the opposition at the time. The brooch appears to be nearly two inches in length and includes an antiquated depiction of a black figure that many contend exoticizes people of color. In a new interview, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, joked that people in the United Kingdom don't know who Oprah Winfrey is. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, (opens in new tab)has a sense of humor about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview withOprah Winfrey (opens in new tab). A Buckingham Palace statement on behalf of the Queen yesterday read: "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. Princess Michael of Kent attends a Christmas lunch for the extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 20, 2017 in London. Following the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in March, the Earl and the Countess of Wessex have been identified as potential substitutes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in royal representative duties. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The royal family is at a point where they can no longer hide behind the palace walls and publicly state like Prince William did, We are very much not a racist family. Its now time for the royal family to own up to their racial blind spots and take accountability in the areas where they have failed. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. NY 10036. However, represented in this group were more than just the direct heirs. Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh's Most Stylish Moments, The Men of Cannes Are Stylish, Without the Effort, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. We are not simpletons," he continued. Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Lacey writes: "This was Prince Charles' special crusade. Meghan Markle, Prince Charles and Prince Harry attend Royal Ascot Day 1 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018 in Ascot, United Kingdom. He also urged the couple to use their diplomatic influence to advocate for reparations for Antigua & Barbuda. The duke is fully leaning into American customs. If Charles wants to slim down the working group, then William and Kate must be doing 400 engagements each right now. "I am deeply distressed by the carrying out of an entrapment operation on me and my business but I also much, "This has been a difficult time for me. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Sophie looked elegant in a teal short sleeve dress with shimmering heels for the first state banquet of King Charles's reign. "She said the Royal Family didn't like him because he was too presidential,". Earlier in the week, a small group of protestors in Saint Vincent held signs calling for reparations and an end to colonialism. For day four of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wore a striking blue velvet outfit with a matching top hat. Sophie Countess of Wessex accompanied her husband the Earl of Wessex and the Duchess of Cambridge as hosts of one of the Queen's annual garden parties in a lovely floral number and intricate fascinator. Sophie bundled up in a green sweater for the final day of the jubilee celebrations. The couple, who became senior royals when Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles, was asked by The Telegraph about their thoughts on the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs March interview with Oprah Winfrey. "Because, of course, it was a huge story.". Mark Cuthbert / UK Press via Getty Images, Meghan Markle engagement to Prince Harry exposes quiet racism, ongoing culture of racism and classism in British high society. Their conversations were recorded and she was caught making eyebrow-raising remarks about former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cheerie. WebThe Countess of Wessex has opened up about her personal heartache over the death of her mother more than 15 years ago, saying she "missed out on so much". She completed her outfit with an Elie Saab sequin clutch. Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, are .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}currently on a week-long tour of Caribbean nationsSaint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, and Antigua & Barbudain celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The apology came after Princess Michael of Kent wore a blackamoor brooch on her left shoulder to the queen's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. In this exclusive clip, they tell @Oprah they were then invited to spend time with his grandmother, the Queen, but the plans abruptly changed citing she's "busy all week." Watch: Prince Edward and Countess Sophie's Oprah quip amid interview controversy. "Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members. Copyright IBTimes 2023. Commentator Ayesha Hazarika said: "So to have just dished the dirt on someone she didn't really know, he was just a prospective client, was incredibly naive and it had terrible consequences. Her byline has appeared inMarie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harpers Bazaar, TheAtlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. IE 11 is not supported. The Countess of Wessex has lived a comparatively low-drama life, but even she is not immune to scandal. Countess Sophie also allegedly made comments about her brother-in-law Prince Charles and the then Camilla Parker-Bowles, remarking that the public would not like Camilla to be Queen. Ms Barber said Ms Noble had taken the photo and sold it for 40,000 to the press along with other photos. For a visit to Northern Ireland in honor of the Platinum Jubilee, Sophie paired a floral dress with nude pumps and a statement barrette. Edward left the entertainment industry in 2002 and -- along with his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex -- has dedicated his life since to royal work. Royal expert Ingrid Seward added: newspaper got hold of a photograph that was 11 years old and it was Sophie when she worked for Capital radio. IBT Fast Start - Let the best of International News come to you. The Countess of Wessex shimmered in an Erdem gown and Graff sapphire chandelier earrings at the 2022 Royal Variety Performance. WebCountess Sophie of Wessex was caught up in a shock PR scandal just two years into her marriage She may be the Queen's favourite daughter-in-law, but even Sophie isn't pic.twitter.com/dLhq0SAgfN. Birthday: January 20, 1965. I take very seriously the issues raised and, naturally, regret any embarrassment above all to the Queen.. Instead, she was describing changes that were put up for discussion, but not so far enacted, as part of discussion to fundamentally rearrange the royalty as an institution. And they still have youngish kids. Sophie has developed a good relationship with the other members of the royal family. Shots of the two women together show them looking like friends, with Sophie adopting some relaxed, confident and down-to-earth body language when she is with her mother-in-law.. I always knew that when people who arent like us claim that hereditary rank is not part of human nature, they must be wrong. In 1996, this meant his brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, stepping back as well as the Duke of York's children Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, then aged just eight and six. However, an insider close to the Sussexes told Newsweek Meghan was not referring to either of those rules. Princess Michael quickly earned criticism on social media. The Queen loves spending time with her youngest son, his wife and their children and sees Sophie as something of a second daughter. Historian Robert Lacey writes in Battle of Brothers how Prince Charles' slimming down plans dated back to the 1990s, when he felt the large number of royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony sent the wrong message. For Trooping of the Colour 2022 (and as part of the celebrations of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee) Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, picked a pink and white gingham coat dress, which she complemented with a hat covered in bows. WebSophie, Countess of Wessex, attended the second day of Royal Ascot wearing a powder blue outfit, much to the delight of fans who praised her 'elegant' outfit. Certainly not in this country, anyway, Sophie, said, doubling down on the joke that Oprah isn't a well-known figure in the United Kingdom. Certainly not in this country, anyway, Sophie, Countess of Wessex says of Oprah in a new interview given to The Telegraph.https://t.co/XRNtMh8DOf. And their efforts are due to be repaid in full in the future as the Earl and Countess are due to follow in the footsteps of the Queen and Prince Philip with a beloved title they will receive. "The embarrassment is just going to keep growing over this," Laura Harth, the campaign director at Safeguard Defenders, told Newsweek. Prince Harry is supposed to head back home to England for the July 1 unveiling of Princess Dianas statue, but things might be a little be awkward now that Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and her husband, Prince Edward, have publicly weighed in on the family feud. Meghan's comments have been questioned both on social media and in the press, with commentators pointing out the rules governing titles date back to a 1917 declaration by George V. Meghan mentions the convention in her interview and it was changed in 2013 to allow all of Prince William's children to become princes or princesses. He was really hurt by her rude behavior and he said so. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Following on from Edwards heartfelt plea to the press, there was no turning back for the couple, who were going from strength to strength. Shes been famous for over 30 years on a worldwide level The Oprah Winfrey Show aired in 149 countries over the years. Deadly secret behind Kate and Prince Williams Kensington Home exposed, Boris Johnson will NEVER give Nicola Sturgeon a second referendum He would not survive! | UK | News (Reports), BBC TV licence fee: BBC set to fork out 140m of taxpayers cash on chasing TV licence fee | UK | News (Reports), Boris Johnson refuses to reveal who is paying for Spanish holiday, Report, Boris Johnson promises big, bold action to rebuild after Covid, Keir Starmer pledges to launch an education National Excellence Programme, Ryanair racist passenger referred to police (Reports), Da Vinci eye condition was behind da Vincis genius, Researchers Say, Trump: nuclear treaty with Russia, Report. Although Countess Sophie of Wessex is known as a kind royal, she made a blunder this time. The pair have emerged as two of the most reliable members of the Royal Family and have represented the Queen both in the UK and abroad on several occasions each year. She was larking about with Chris Tarrant who was also a big part of Capital radio., READ MORE:Deadly secret behind Kate and Prince Williams Kensington Home exposed. WebThe countess was speaking to the BBC, ahead of the United Nations' international day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict, on Saturday. When they arrived back in London the royal familyminus Harry and Meghan who had stepped back from royal dutiesstood in Windsor Castle together in a show of unity. In response to the allegations, Sophie presented a united front, saying simply that they are "still a family no matter what happens. At Christmas this year, Prince William and Kate Middleton embarked on a controversial royal train tour of Britain to praise front line workers for fighting the pandemic, despite rules against all but essential travel. In 2001, she came under fire after leaked conversations revealed some of her thoughts about the royal family and Related: Meghan Markle engagement to Prince Harry exposes quiet racism. ', commentator Christina Lamb said: "She was rather indiscreet to say the least in some of her description of people like then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, who she described as presidential, and his wife Cherie as being 'absolutely horrid. She also issued a statement to apologize to the Queen. In an age of slimming, the future monarch wanted to slim down the House of Windsor. For a second appearance on the Countess of Wessex's Platinum Jubilee tour, Sophie arrived in Argyle in the Grenadines in a picture-perfect summery white dress with colorful floral print, a tan handbag and tan wedges. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram. WebSophie, Countess of Wessex Wipes Away Tears Meeting Her 90-Year-Old Pandemic 'Phone Friend' All About Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn Prince Edward and Before March 2023, Sophie was known as the Countess of Wessexthese style highlights use her title from the time they happened. In response, Prince Edward nervously laughed and said he was "not keeping notes" as Browne spoke, so he wouldn't be able to reply to each point. Sophie, Countess of Wessex had private photos of herself with Christ Tarrant published in a British tabloid after announcing her engagement to Prince Edward. Heres how it works. "Noticeably absent was a photo of Harry, Meghan and their new baby Archie. Once the scandal hit the tabloids, Sophie stepped down from her position, releasing a statement about the proceedings. Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visit the Tomorrow's People Social Enterprises at St Anselm's Church, Kennington on the Countess's 50th birthday on January 20, 2015 in London. I take very seriously the issues raised and, naturally, regret any embarrassment above all to the Queen.". When it comes to scandals, the royal family have had their fair share from extramarital affairs to toe-sucking gaffes. WebIn the interview, Sophie also weighed in on some specific points raised by Harry and Meghan during their chat with Oprahspecifically, their allegations of racism within the She later attempted to defend herself when asked about the incident, telling ITV, "I even pretended years ago to be an African, a half-caste African, but because of my light eyes I did not get away with it, but I dyed my hair black.". The letter also noted the British family's continued wealth: "We know that the British Crown, both as royal family and as institution, is historically documented as an active participant in the largest crimes against humanity of all time," referring to the transatlantic slave trade. Sophie Wessex faced some serious consequences because of her comments, Sophie made some controversial comments as she spoke to a man she believed to be a potential client, Sophie was quick to recover from the scandal and maintained her close relationship with the Queen, Sophie has been taking on an increasing number of roles since she gave up her career, Sophie Wessex title: Why is the Countess of Wessex not Princess Sophie, Prince Edward embarrassment: Royal sparked Palace fury, Sophie has long been considered to be one of the Queen's favourite, Sophie Wessex title shock: How Sophie could hold same rank as Queen, Sophie Wessex back with air rescue service that saved her life. Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex meet Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda at his office in St Johns, Antigua & Barbuda. #EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry reveals to @Oprah a large part of the reason he and Meghan left the UK was because of racism. Sure, the outfits Duchesses .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Meghan and Kate wear to royal events may dominate the headlines, but Prince Edward's wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh is a style icon in her own right.