Countess of Wessex's fellowship

Sep 29, 2006, 14:24 GMT

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, has been appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Fellowship is usually awarded to outstanding obstetricians and gynaecologists and other distinguished members of the medical profession.

However, the title has been bestowed on several members of the royal family in the past and the Queen Mother was a patron of the college in the 1960s.

Professor Allan Templeton, President of the Royal College, said it was an "honour" to welcome Sophie - the wife of Prince Edward - onboard.

He said: "We are deeply honoured that the countess has shown an interest and commitment to our work. Her involvement furthers the long and successful association we have had with the royal family."

Sophie - who supports many other healthcare charities - has a personal interest in the work of the college as she suffered a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy in 2001.

The countess underwent a two-and-a-half hour operation, which caused her to lose a dangerous amount of blood.

Two years after the tragedy, Sophie fell pregnant again and in November 2003 daughter Louise was delivered via Caesarean section.

Earlier this year, Sophie lent her support to the 'Born in Bradford' research project, which investigates the causes behind low birth weights and infant mortality.

(C) BANG Media International