Captured inside her elegant Bagshot Park home, Sophie is pictured laughing as she leans against a window, exuding timeless grace.
The milestone image, taken by Nigeria-born, London-based photographer Christina Ebenezer, showcases Sophie in a chic black sweater, a cream pleated skirt, and delicate gold jewelry. Known for her creative style, Christina was specifically chosen by the Duchess to support an emerging female talent.
Marking her birthday on January 20, Sophie is said to feel “a renewed sense of excitement and commitment” to her advocacy for gender equality, according to royal sources.
The Duchess plans to celebrate her special day privately with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. She will also receive birthday wishes from her children: Lady Louise Windsor, 21, currently studying at the University of St Andrews, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, who boards at a school in Oxfordshire.
“She doesn’t want to make a big fuss about it,” a friend said. “She doesn’t see this as a big moment.”
Sophie’s understated approach to her birthday mirrors her dedication to royal duties, often carried out without fanfare.
“Like the late Queen, she puts duty and responsibility before herself and never seeks the limelight,” said Ailsa Anderson, former communications secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. “But she’s great fun, with a terrific sense of humor and a glass-half-full outlook. She’s also utterly devoted to her family and a huge asset to the monarchy.”
Sophie developed a close bond with Queen Elizabeth II after marrying Prince Edward in 1999. Despite her middle-class upbringing—her father was a tire company director, and her mother a secretary—Sophie became a trusted confidante of the late Queen. The two often enjoyed tea and horseback rides together in Windsor Great Park.
Her warmth and genuine nature have made her beloved among the royal household. “She is incredibly kind, generous, selfless, and much loved by those who work with her,” Ailsa added.
