Princess Sophie has emerged from the shadows over the past 12 months to become one of the most popular royals. In a year where King Charles and Princess Catherine faced battles with cancer, Sophie and her husband Prince Edward have become rocks for The Firm.
The family will raise a glass to the former PR officer when she turns 60 on Monday, January 20. And the Duchess of Edinburgh, recently described as the royals’ “secret weapon”, has been handed a major boost with the news that a close family member will be able to attend any celebration, reports Woman&Home.
Sophie and Edward’s daughter Lady Louise Windsor missed her mother’s birthday last year due to her university studies. An English student at St Andrews, the 21-year-old returned for the Candlemas semester on January 15.
But this year, the term does not get underway until January 27 meaning Louise will be able to spend the day with her parents at their Surrey home. While Sophie’s celebrations are likely to be low-key, it will be a major boost to have her daughter by her side.
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We previously told how Louise and her brother Viscount James, Earl of Wessex, had been earmarked as potential working royals in the future by Prince William. Sophie and Edward, who turned 60 last year, decided not to give them HRH titles so they could live a relatively normal life.
Louise opted not to become a ‘princess’ when she turned 18 with her brother also expected to shun his title when he reaches the milestone later this year. Speaking previously about the subject, Sophie had said: “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living.
Sophie receives a cake ahead of her 60th birthday during a visit to ‘The Company Shop – community hub’ on Wednesday
“Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.” Meanwhile, Sophie’s birthday celebrations started early on Wednesday when she was presented with an orange cake during an engagement at The Company Shop in London.
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