Countess of Wessex: the Royal Family's newest style icon? In June, she made a three-day visit to Gibraltar with her husband Edward, Earl of Wessex, as part of the Jubilee celebrations. The trip, where they were greeted by crowds of well-wishers despite fears of disturbance from Spanish protesters, has been interpreted as a sign of the Queen's deep trust in the couple. In May, she reviewed the Chelsea Pensioners on Founders Day, wearing the traditional oak leaf emblem to inspect the retired servicemen and kissing an elderly gentleman who serenaded her. Who is the best dressed Royal? In June, she joined the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge in coordinated pastel outfits to watch the Order of the Garter service at Winsor Castle. One newspaper described how she had "blossomed over the past year," while another praised her "sophisticated" style. In March this year, after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, Marie Claire magazine declared she "stole the limelight" adding: "Anything Kate Middleton can do, Sophie Wessex can do better." Her outfit at the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, comprising of a Bruce Oldfield dress, matching jacket and statement Jane Taylor hat, led Hello! magazine to proclaim her a "style icon." It noted: "The Countess' makeover has largely gone unnoticed. But in recent months, the 46-year-old has blossomed from being a supporting player into a stunning principal. Discussing the Earl and Countess of Wessex, one Telegraph reader commented: "They may get a hard time from elements of the press and public; that is wholly undeserved and unfair in my opinion. They work hard and are good value for their efforts. Another advised that "the behind the scenes work not reported is what you're respected for the most," adding: "While she might not get the plum assignments, maybe the satisfaction that she gives to those who are lucky enough to have her appear, like those pensioners, is more important than getting press each and every time." The Countess, 47, is already widely reported to be remarkably close to the Queen, with a friendship based on a passion for horses and military history. The pair are said to share "long and meaningful talks," with the Queen approving of the Countess" stable, enduring marriage to her son. Born Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1965 in Oxford, she worked in public relations for over a decade, including roles at London's Capital Radio and PR companies The Quentin Bell Organisation and MacLaurin Communications & Media. In 1996, she launched her own company RJH Public Relations, which she ran with a business partner for five years. She met Prince Edward at a real tennis event in the summer of 1993, marrying him at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Saturday, 19 June 1999. On the day of the wedding, The Queen conferred the titles of The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn upon Prince Edward, making Sophie "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex." In 2001, she courted scandal as the now-defunct News of the World published a series of tapes recorded by undercover reported Mazher Mahmood, who posed as a sheikh to speak to the Countess in her PR role. She was said to make disparaging remarks about politicians and appeared to use her status to attract business. At the time, Buckingham Palace dismissed the claims as "selective, distorted and in several cases, flatly untrue." In 2001, the Countess underwent an emergency operation after suffering an ectopic pregnancy. She went on to have a daughter, Lady Louise, who was born on 8 November 2003 and a son, Viscount Severn, who was born on 17 December 2007. Her patronages include organisations dealing with sensory, learning and communications disabilities, children's charities, and local community projects. She also has four military appointments, including a Royal colonelcy with 5th Battalion The Rifles.