The Countess of Wessex was airlifted to a London hospital on Thursday after suffering an ectopic pregnancy. The Countess, who is married to the Queen’s youngest son, is in a “comfortable” condition at London’s King Edward VII hospital following a three-hour emergency operation, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
Sophie, who has spoken of her desire to have children, was at the couple’s Surrey home, Bagshot Park, when she complained of feeling unwell. At 7am on Thursday morning a doctor was called after the Countess collapsed in pain.
Doctors discovered the baby was developing in one of her fallopian tubes and had to operate immediately to avoid the possibility of fatal complications. Sophie, who is understood to have been around six weeks pregnant, was reported to be "unbelievably sad" and tearful following the surgery.
Her husband, Prince Edward, was with her in the hospital, where she is expected to stay for at least five days. Apparently Sophie lost a great deal of blood during the operation and is currently under round-the clock observation. It will be six weeks before she is well enough to resume public engagements, but the psychological effects of losing a baby often take considerably longer to heal.
As there was not enough room in the helicopter which airlifted his wife to hospital Prince Edward drove into London, stopping off en route to put his mother, the Queen, in the picture. He then dashed to Sophie's bedside. The pregnancy had not been publicly announced.
Speaking after having visited his wife in hospital on Friday, Edward described the ordeal as "about the most painful thing anyone can undergo". He told reporters, "It was a pretty traumatic experience. We are delighted that it has been sorted out."
He added that Sophie is doing "remarkably well" and thanked hospital staff. "They reacted so quickly yesterday and were here to deal with the situation so professionally."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
