Career

Sophie began working at 19 with the Quentin Bell Public Relation group as secretary of the managing director.  She than took up a similar position at Tim Arnold sale promotion agency.  Sophie soon moved on and began working with the publicity manager of Capital Radio where she organised press launches and photo calls.   In 1987 she moved to Capital Radio's promotions department.  Sophie worked as press assistant to Jan Reid, chief press officer.  The position came with its perks as Sophie met people like Mick Jagger, Andrew Parkinson and Neil Fox.  She became close friends with Anita Hamilton and DJ Chris Tarrant.  But she longed to travel the world and in 1989 took a job as a representative of the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.

After returning to England, Sophie applied for various PR jobs landing contractual work with Jill Philips, the national promotions manager of the Cancer Relief MacMillan Fund.  She found more work at MacLaurin Communications and Media (MCM).  Sophie's most significant account was the Baby Lifeline Charity which raised money for equipment and neo-natal research.  Sophie had only worked for MCM for four months before she met Edward.  In October 1995, Sophie's position within the company and her relationship with Prince Edward began to place considerable pressure on her.  Hello! Magazine promised to provide 25 000 pounds of publicity for a function she was organising for Baby Lifeline, on condition that they were given access to her relationship with the prince.  Sophie managed to slip away from the awkward situation and returned the focus on to the charity.  However the press were eager to hint that the PR firm was receiving busy due to Sophie's royal ties and Sophie soon handed in her resignations as she did not wish to damage the company's reputation.

In 1997 Sophie decided to form her own PR company with Murray Harkin.  R-JH started as a great success with many up market clients.  This led many to comment that she was taking advantage of her status as a royal friend, although none of the clients had royal connections.  The press also drew attention to Sophie's lack of credentials to prove their claim.  The matter reached a climax in 2001 when the News of the World purposely entrapped Sophie by posing as potential clients.  Although Sophie did not say anything negative about the Royal Family, comments made by her partner Murray Harkin when she was unavailable were very embarrassing for the company and to the Wessex's   The negative press attention and further claims that Sophie was using her status as a royal caused many of her clients to leave.  In 2002 Sophie, together with Edward, decided to retire from their businesses and focus upon their role as working royals.  Sophie still retains shares in her company.