They belong to the most famous family in the world, but life for the Wessexes is surprisingly down to earth. Sophie, 57, has been married to King Charles' youngest brother Prince Edward, 58, since 1999, and they share two children: the Queen's so-called 'favourite' granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, 18, and James, Viscount Severn, 14.
The couple has remained largely out of the spotlight, but this could change now King Charles is heading up the monarchy - with the two working royals expected to take on a bigger role in the streamlined monarchy.
Sophie and Princess Anne's husband were the only non-blood relatives to be at Balmoral after the monarch's death - with Sophie, 57, previously described as a 'second daughter' to the Queen.
The family live near Windsor Castle and the couple remain a picture of domestic bliss - with Edward the only one of the late Queen’s children not to have got divorced.
Kate and William are said to admire how they've raised their children out of the public eye, despite their couple being full-time working royals, in a bid to prepare them for a future not already established for them.
We've examined how the family strive to enjoy a relatively normal life, despite their very unique circumstances.
Normal upbringing
James, Viscount Severn, 14, and Lady Louise Windsor, 18, do not use the HRH title or prince and princess titles they received upon birth, in line with their parents wishes for them to grow up out of the public eye.
The children made a rare public appearance recently as they stood guard around their great-grandmother's coffin for a vigil in Westminster Hall.
Their mother looked on in tears as they stood vigil alongside the Queen's other six grandchildren.
Well-wishers walked on by the group, as they held vigil for 15 minutes, in order to pay their respects to the monarch who lies-in-state.
Their upbringing has impressed other royal figures, namely Kate Middleton and Prince William, who are keen to ensure their children enjoy a normal childhood where possible.
In her book "The New Royals", author Katie Nicholl wrote: "Kate is said to admire the way Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, are raising their children — Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn — in the bosom of the Royal Family but prepared for life in the real world."
In a rare interview with The Sunday Times, Sophie explained: "We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living.
"Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely."
The countess said she and Prince Edward tried to give their children, a "normal" life, adding: "They go to a regular school [they both attend top independent schools]. They go to friends' for sleepovers and parties.
"At weekends, we do lots of dog-walking and stay with friends. I guess not everyone's grandparents live in a castle, but where you are going is not the important part, or who they are. When they are with the Queen, she is their grandmother."
Sophie also told how the moment Lady Louise discovered her grandmother was the Queen was a "shock to the system,” in an interview with the BBC.
"It was only when she was coming home from school and saying: 'Mummy, people keep on telling me that grandma is the queen.’
"And I asked her, 'Yes, how does that make you feel?’ And she said, 'I don’t understand...’ I don’t think she had grasped perhaps there was only one Queen.”
Lady Louise took her GCSES during lockdown - but the palace kept her results secret, unlike her cousins Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, and Prince Harry and William.
The palace did announce that she was set to start an English degree at the University of St Andrews this month, following in the footsteps of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
It is not known how her plans have been affected following the death of her grandmother.
The palace did not reveal her A-level grades but the standard entry requirements are AAA.
A spokesperson said: "Having received her A-level results today, Lady Louise will start at St Andrews University in September to study English.”
Minimum wage job
Lady Louise Windsor was spotted working at a garden centre for £6.83 an hour as she waited for her A-level results. Customers praised the teen for being "polite and attentive" in her role.
During her summer, the 18-year-old spent time working on the tills, greeting and assisting customers and pruning and potting plants.
One customer described their shock at seeing a granddaughter of the Queen at work, saying she served him at a till.
They said: "I couldn’t believe it was Lady Louise — I had to look twice.
"She is a really modest and sweet young woman who is polite and attentive to customers. She seemed to be loving the job.
“You’d never imagine the Queen’s granddaughter would take on a role working behind a till."
At the time Ingrid Stewart, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: "Isn’t it wonderful the Queen’s granddaughter rolled her sleeves up and got her hands dirty with a summer job before going to university — just like any other normal teenager.”
Previously she stepped in to babysit Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Louis on the annual summer holiday to Balmoral.
An insider told The Sun in 2019: "The Queen loves the fact that Louise and James [Louise's younger brother] relish their time at Balmoral, and she has become particularly close to Louise, who seems to have become her favourite grandchild, closely followed by James.
"Louise also endeared herself to everyone by looking after William and Kate’s children when they were up here.
"Louise loves drawing and sketching and was very patiently trying to get Charlotte to do pictures of rabbits and deer."
Sophie's upbringing
The couple's desire for their children to have a 'normal' life is possibly spurred on by Sophie's non-royal background - as the daughter of a tyre salesman and a secretary, she was working in PR at Capital Radio when the couple met in 1987.
It wasn't love at first sight as Edward was dating her friend, but six years later they finally got together after a chance meeting at a charity event.
Adapting to royal life
Sophie carried on working before finally becoming a full-time royal in 2002, after she was recorded, in a sting, describing Tony Blair as "President Blair" and dubbing the Queen an "old dear".
She once shared her frustration at adjusting to life as a full-time working royal, telling the Times: "Certainly it took me a while to find my feet.
"I had to reduce my expectations. I couldn't turn up at a charity and go, right, I think you should be doing this because that's what I was used to doing in my working life. I had to take a big step back."
But there was clearly no hard feelings with within the family, as Sophie was later described as a 'second daughter' to the Queen.
The pair shared a passion for military history, and could often be found trawling documents in the Royal Archives at Windsor.
The monarch also invited her to several church services and they enjoyed watching old movies together.
Charity work
The family have been pictured litter-picking on a beach in Portsmouth and spent an hour and a half picking up rubbish.
Meanwhile, Sophie devotes a lot of her time to charities she has a personal connection to - including Vision Foundation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
Louise was born with an eye condition called esotropia, which turns the eyes outwards.
She underwent an operation to correct it in 2006, which was unsuccessful, but further treatment in late 2013 worked.
Sophie previously told the Sunday Express: “Premature babies can often have squints because the eyes are the last thing in the baby package to really be finalised.
“Her squint was quite profound when she was tiny and it takes time to correct it... she’s fine now - her eyesight is perfect."
She has also campaigned against sexual violence in conflict and travelled to South Sudan to highlight the important work going on to halt it.
Speaking to the Times about her work, she said: "I heard stories where you feel I can't believe I'm hearing this."
"If I can prod the consciences of those who may be able to do more to try and prevent it, and can help get justice for survivors, I will do everything I can."
