Royal Family Christmas Photos: Meghan, Kate, the Queen

Prince Edward & His Family

Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and their children, walk to Christmas Day 2018 services. The Wessex family keeps among the lowest profiles of the Royals, causing seemingly no scandal, in contrast to some of the higher profile members of the family.

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The Queen's Youngest Son

The Royal Family's website has a page devoted to the Duke of Wessex. The biography reads:

"The Earl of Wessex is the youngest child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and a full-time working member of the Royal Family. He supports Her Majesty in her official duties – often alongside his wife The Countess of Wessex - as well as undertaking public engagements for a large number of his own charities. His work has a particular focus on the development of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, from which he has taken over many responsibilities from his father.

The Earl carries out a busy schedule of engagements in support of a large number of charities. His Royal Highness is especially passionate about organisations and causes which provide opportunities to young people. "
The bio continues, focusing on the couple's charitable activities:

"Shortly before their marriage in 1999, The Earl and Countess of Wessex founded The Wessex Youth Trust, which offers grants and support to charities helping young people. This benefits a broad cross-section of youth oriented causes, including hospitals and hospices, child protection and drug-prevention schemes, inner city drop-in centres, sex education initiatives, special needs libraries, sports facilities and arts groups. The WYT has distributed some £1.3 million to over 150 causes...As a keen sports fan, The Earl is associated with a number of official bodies. He is Patron of Paralympics GB and Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation. He also serves as Patron of Badminton Scotland, The Tennis and Rackets Association and The International Real Tennis Professionals Association. His Royal Highness is President of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

The Earl also has a strong personal interest in the Arts and is Patron of a number of organisations within this area. These include City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, London Mozart Players, Windsor Festival, Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society, Northern Ballet, National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and The Orpheus Centre Trust. Whenever possible, His Royal Highness greatly enjoys attending plays and concerts."

The bio quotes Prince Edward and Countess Sophie as saying, "Our focus is to help, support and advance registered charities which provide opportunities specifically for children and young people. Our aim is simply to respond to charities' real needs and enable them to fulfill their ambitions."