Sophie, the Countess of Wessex makes royal history

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, has made royal history by having her face sculpted during a live session.

The Countess visited the London studio of sculptor Frances Segelman as part of her work with the Vision Foundation.

Segelman is creating the image of Sophie so people with vision impairment know what she looks like. It is part of the Vision Foundation's strategy to help those with vision impairment access art.

The artist has previously created sculptures of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Charles.

Sophie, 55, sat for two hours for the artist, with the live session being shared while charity advocate Dr Amit Patel and vision impaired host Lucy Edwards discussed the importance of such works.

The royal said while coronavirus restrictions have been difficult for all of us, they have been especially challenging for the vision impaired.

"For the blind and partially sighted amongst us, these past months have been especially challenging," she said. "However, through the care that the Vision Foundation has extended to those in difficulty, I am hopeful that the people we care for will feel empowered within their communities."

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She thanked Segelman for sculpting her face so the vision impaired can learn how she looks "through touch" so they can "more vividly imagine their world".

"Whether you are a long-time supporter or friend of the Vision Foundation, or you are new to us, thank you for your vital support, and I would encourage you all to speak to the Foundation team to find out more about our work and explore how you can play a part in bringing the world to within closer reach for those who struggle to see it," she said.

Sophie's image will be cast in bronze and unveiled at the Vision Foundation's centenary event in 2021.

The Countess of Wessex has emerged as one of the busiest members of the British royal family since the resignation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in January 2020.

This month alone she has sat for this sculpture but also visited the Thames Valley Air Ambulance that once attended to her following a miscarriage. She is now a patron of the service.

She also visited a Surrey pub and the St John Ambulance Operational Support Hub.

Sophie also appears on the cover of the October issue of Good Housekeeping in the UK.