Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s speech ‘controlled and authoritative’ in public appearances

Sophie Wessex celebrates anniversary of Foundation of Light

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward reportedly began dating in 1993. Six years later, they announced their engagement and married in June 1999.

The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle with millions of Britons tuning in to the TV screen to welcome Sophie to the Royal Family.

After the big day, she was given an official Her Royal Highness title and began performing royal duties.

Over the last 21 years, Sophie seems to have taken to her royal responsibilities naturally.

Before she was a working royal, however, the Countess had a very different career.

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The mother-of-two worked in public relations when she met Prince Edward and continued this career throughout their relationship.

Her previous work may have influenced how she has conducted herself in royal public appearances, according to speech expert from Speak 2 Impact Susie Ashfield.

She stated: “The Countess of Wessex had a prominent role in corporate PR before becoming a popular and hard-working member of the Royal Family.

“This may explain why she comes across as so controlled and authoritative during many of her public speaking events.”

As a working royal, Sophie has attended various engagements and given speeches on issues important to her.

During the various coronavirus lockdowns, she has continued to do this virtually, including video calls in the last couple of weeks.

Sophie was no stranger to public speaking before becoming a royal and but her delivery style could alter slightly when in front of the monarch.

The expert suggested her tone of speaking appears more “stoic” when the Queen is present.

Susie explained: “There’s one factor that can drastically shake up her typical formidable style and change her from a somewhat sparky speaker to an apathetic performer who is immaculate in delivery but with a significantly stiffer style.

“It has been said that the Countess has modelled her approach to public speaking on the Queen, swapping anecdotes and stories for a more stoic style whenever her mother-in-law is in the room.”

The expert continued to suggest this is drastically different to how Sophie has spoken when she is by herself.

Referencing an appearance by Sophie on ITV’s This Morning in 2018, Susie claimed the royal appeared “warmer”.

She added: “Just look at her delivery on This Morning with Eamonn Holmes.

“The Countess gesticulates naturally and talks freely, occasionally letting the odd ‘umm’ or ‘err’ break into a sentence, which gives her an edge of relatability and authenticity.

“With Eamonn’s gentle encouragement she grows even wittier and warmer, joking with the iconic presenter that she is ‘inappropriately dressed’ for the occasion.

“Compare this to her speech during a reception at Buckingham Palace with the Queen last year and we see a much more formal speaker, invisibly bound to the podium, sticking closely to the script laid out in front of her.”

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