Sphere to publish the definitive biography of the Duchess of Edinburgh

Sphere, Little, Brown Book Group, has acquired Sophie: Saving the Royal Family by Sean Smith.

Non-fiction publisher Kelly Ellis acquired world all-language rights in a deal with Gordon Wise of Curtis Brown, and the book will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in June 2025, the year of the Duchess of Edinburgh’s 60th birthday.

"This new, exclusive and unique biography will reveal how in many ways Sophie is saving the Royal Family," the synopsis says. "For many years, she has worked tirelessly to fulfil her Royal duties and to advocate for the causes that matter to her – supporting women at home and abroad. But since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 her popularity has soared as she has significantly increased her work load and become a firm favourite with the public... Now, to mark her 60th birthday year, Sean Smith will share the inspirational story of how Sophie Rhys-Jones, a fun-loving middle class girl from a Kent village became one of the nation’s most respected and best-loved royals."

Smith said: "Sophie has been a royal rock for so long that it’s easy to forget she had a proper life before she started dating Prince Edward. She is a fascinating woman who has had more than her fair share of ups and downs, controversies and personal tragedy, but through it all she has a smile that can light up any room."

Ellis added: "This will be the first major biography of Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in almost thirty years and Sean, her original biographer, is so incredibly well placed to capture a fascinating and revealing account of the life of one of the most understated but important royals. Fans of both Sophie and Sean will not be disappointed."