Youth 

The Countess of Wessex, Sophie Helen Rhys- Jones was born on 20 January 1965 at Nuffield Maternity Home in Oxford, four days after the death of Sir Winston Churchill.  Mary Rhys-Jones named her daughter Sophie after hearing the name been called to a little girl in the park and liked the name.  The Countess was given the second name of Helen after a paternal aunt that had died ten years earlier after falling from her horse.   At the time the family lived in Ickford, Buckinghamshire, but shortly after Sophie's birth the family moved to Brenchley, Kent into a house named 'Homestead Farmhouse.'  

Sophie is the second child and only daughter of Christopher and Mary Rhys-Jones.  Christopher Rhys-Jones, whom I presume is now in retirement, used to be an overseas representative of a car manufacturer.  He was born in Sarawak, Borneo and traveled in Africa.  As a young man he tutored at St. Peter's Preparatory School, Lympstone Devon where his father Theo was headmaster.  Christopher Rhys- Jones is known to enjoy traditional country pursuits notably shooting, sailing and fishing.  He met Mary O'Sullivan in Gibraltar, when she was working as a secretary in South Kensington.  Mrs. Rhys-Jones is the daughter of a bank manager.  Sophie's brother, David was born in 1963.  

Sophie attended Dulwich College Preparatory School in Cranbrook, Kent as a day student from the age of four and a half.  She started as a junior in the section of the school called Nash House.  Sophie is well remembered by her contemporaries at the school as one of the school children who revolted against lessons and locked themselves in the wendy house.  At seven she moved into the older school section called Little Stream.  She was a well-rounded student and was actively involved in sporting activities such as netball, hockey, athletics and swimming.  At nine, Sophie moved to Coursehorn  which was more academic.  Sophie's interests was soon drawn to theatre and drama.  Her favourite subject was English, especially poetry notably the Romantics like Shelly and Keats' Ode to a Nightingale.  She was even inspired to write a few herself.  Although she was not keen on Mathematics, she volunteered to join the Math club.  She even took boxing lessons from the school chaplain, Trevor Victory.  He also confirmed her.  

Sophie then moved to Kent College for Girls at Pembury, where she attended theatre workshops.   She achieved 6 O-Levels, including Art, History, French and English. Sophie was eager to leave school, but her family convinced her to study further.  She won a place at West Kent College of Further Education in Tonbrigde at the age of 16.  She completed a two year secretarial course, a further two O-Level in Law and Economics, and shorthand and typing, as well as an A- Level in English.

Inspired by her Aunt Anne Kettle and Uncle Thane Bettany who were members of the Royal Ballet, Sophie started ballet classes at four years old.  In one of their recitals, Sophie appeared as Cinderella and as a member of the Jackson 5.   Sophie left ballet when she was 17, she had reached Grade IV which is quiet respectable for a non- professional dancer.  Sophie love of ballet was supported by her family who often took her to see ballet in Covent Garden.While at West Kent College she began working part time at the Halfway House, a local pub.  Sophie also joined the Cransbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society, with her best friend Sarah Senesi, and played a role in the chorus in  My Fair Lady.

Sophie was essentially a normal teenager.  She used to smoke Benson & Hedges but stopped shortly thereafter.  She also used to work at the The Halfway House Pub, which is famous locally for its ghosts.