Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 56, has had a very busy week. Not only did she celebrate her 56th birthday on Wednesday but the countess carried out an impressive number of important royal engagements. During a call with NHS staff, Sophie shared an important update about her father’s health.
The Countess of Wessex has been dubbed the Royal Family’s “secret weapon” for her quiet yet effective approach to conducting royal engagements.
On Wednesday Sophie spoke to NHS workers helping with Britain’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out during a video conference.
While on the call, Sophie shared her joy at the fact her father had this week received the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Royal Family’s official Twitter account shared a clip of Sophie sharing the news.
READ MORE: Sophie Wessex ‘moves Royal Family into 21st century’ in new video
The tweet read: “’My father received his vaccine, he’s 89 years old and I’m just so happy.’”
“The Countess of Wessex shares her joy that her father has received his Covid-19 vaccine as she joined NHS General Practice nurses and Healthcare Assistants at @HubLincolnshire’s conference yesterday.”
Sophie is the latest in a string of royals to speak out about the vaccine.
Last weekend Prince William said he was “proud” of his grandparents Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, for receiving the vaccine.
Discussing the Queen’s decision to share her vaccine news earlier this month, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “It is highly significant that the Queen at 94 and the Duke of Edinburgh at 99 have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and have made it public.
“As mass vaccination has begun, it is important to send a message to the nation that this is both safe and the only sensible course of action.
“The Queen and Prince Philip have led by example.”
He added: “Prince Charles has indicated that he will also be vaccinated, though he is awaiting his turn.”
According to the royal expert, there are important historical precedents for Royal Family members endorsing public health campaigns.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: “There are important precedents for this.
“Queen Caroline, the wife of George II, not only had her children inoculated against smallpox but spearheaded a campaign to support it at a time when medicine operated on an unreliable basis.
The devout Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, did likewise, though she lost two of her children to the disease.
“The importance of the monarch setting a trend was also illustrated by Queen Victoria, who was given chloroform for the birth of her last two children, a practice which was subsequently widely followed.”
