Royal fury: Queen forced to rush to Sophie Wessex's defence after embarrassing ordeal
SOPHIE WESSEX saw the Queen rush to her defence after a crisis risked an heartbreaking embarrassment for the Countess.
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Sophie Wessex was left heartbroken following the leak of topless photos that had been sold to a newspaper in 1999. Channel 5's royal documentary, Edward and Sophie: The Reluctant Royals, examined the aftermath of this event. Royal expert Rebecca English revealed the united response the Queen ensured from the Royal Family following this event.
She also praised Sophie for her determination in the face of a national scandal.
She said: "This was an incredibly cruel and thoughtless thing to do.
"I think that the reaction of the Royal Family was very clear.
"There was very immediate condemnation but not of Sophie.
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"The condemnation was directed at the woman who had done this."
The documentary narrator highlighted how Sophie was feeling at the time despite the support of the Royal Family.
Glynys Barber said: "The photograph had been seen by thousands of people across the country.
"Sophie was devastated by this gross invasion of her privacy.
Sophie Wessex: Royal expert discusses 'devastating' photo leak
"It was the exact situation that she and Edward tried so hard to avoid."
Ms English also noted what Sophie's friends had to say about the heartbreaking event.
She said: "I have spoken to a friend of hers who was with her when the story broke.
"They saw her heartbreak but equally, and I think this is an interesting aspect of Sophie's character, she very much thought the show must go on.
"She held her head up high, she knew she had done nothing wrong."
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Viscountess Hinchingbrooke Julie Montagu highlighted the emotional impact this would have had on Sophie and why the timing of it was considered cruel.
She said: "Can you even imagine?
"You are excited and engaged, the press has been waiting for you to get engaged and boom somebody sells a photo and it is of you topless.
"It was just devastating news."