Miss Rhys-Jones is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rhys-Jones. She was born in Oxford on 20 January 1965 and was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and West Kent College before embarking on a career in public relations, in which she still works. Upon her marriage to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the title HRH The Countess of Wessex was conferred upon Miss Rhys-Jones.
It was also decided, with the couple's agreement, that any children they might have should not be given the style His or Her Royal Highness, but would have courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an earl.
The Countess of Wessex's hobbies and interests include skiing, horse-riding, sailing and gardening.
The Countess of Wessex has her own public relations company, which was started in early 1997. The agency has clients across a range of business areas, including lifestyle, travel, luxury, business-to-business and consumer products.
Her Royal Highness does not carry out Royal duties on her own, but takes an active interest in The Earl of Wessex's patronages and accompanies him wherever possible. Her charitable roles include being a trustee of the Jill Dando Fund and the Haven Trust, and she is also on the Advisory Board of In Kind Direct.
