06/05/2003

Countess of Wessex expecting baby

Buckingham Palace has announced that the Countess of Wessex is expecting a baby.

In a statement issued this morning the palace announced: “Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex are very pleased to announce that The Countess of Wessex is expecting a baby in December.

“The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and members of both families are delighted with the news.”

On doctors’ advice the Countess will be suspending her official engagements. She had been expected to attend an engagement later this week with Edward, but it is understood Sophie will not now accompany the Prince on the trip to Devon.

In December 2001 Sophie was rushed to King Edward VII Hospital by an air ambulance. Surgeons diagnosed an ectopic pregnancy and operated to remove the foetus.

Following the failed pregnancy Sophie said that she was hopeful that there would be “other chances”.

There has been no comment from the palace at recent media speculation that the 36-year-old Countess has had undergone IVF treatment.

(SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 August 2014
Boy Killed By Bin Lorry While Using Zebra Crossing
A 12-year-old boy has died after being hit by a skip lorry in Devon. It is understood that the boy was struck by the lorry at about 15:10 on Thursday on Topsham Road near Countess Wear. The boy is understood to have using a zebra crossing when he was hit by the bin lorry. He received medical treatment by a passer-by before paramedics arrived.
02 July 2007
Royal couple expecting baby
The Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward are expecting a baby in December, Buckingham Palace has announced. A spokesperson for Sophie, 42 and the Earl of Wessex, 43, said that the couple were "thrilled and excited" about the news.
29 August 2005
Countess of Wessex’s mother dies
Mary Rhys-Jones, the mother of the Countess of Wessex, has died, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. In a statement, the Palace said that Mrs Rhys-Jones, 71, had passed away in hospital on Sunday, after suffering a short illness.
12 December 2005
Countess of Wessex to launch Type 45 destoyer
The Countess of Wessex will launch the first of the Royal Navy's new 'D' Class destroyers early next year. HMS Daring, the seventh vessel to carry the name, will be the first of the Royal Navy's batch of Type 45 air defence destroyers.
20 December 2007
Countess of Wessex Leaves Hospital With Baby
Prince Edward's wife, the Countess of Essex, has left hospital with the couple's newborn baby boy. Sophie, 42, left Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey on Thursday. She had been recovering from a Caesarean section in a private unit in the hospital, where she gave birth to the child, the couple's second, on Monday.