HER ROYAL SIGN-NESS

SHE may be a car salesman's daughter who used to be plain Sophie Rhys-Jones, but now she wants to be called "HRH, The Countess Of Wessex"...even on her cheques.

And just in case bank staff are in any doubt that she is married to royalty, she only uses her first name when she signs the cheques - just like her mother-in-law the Queen.

Sophie's "royal cheque book" is yet more proof that she is desperate to put her commoner past behind her.

Unlike the rest of the Royal Family - who bank with Coutts - Sophie's account is with the HSBC in Paddock Wood, Kent, near the village of Brenchley where she grew up.

The use of her regal title for her banking will further embarrass Palace officials who are helping the rest of the royals develop a more down-to-earth touch.

It will also add to the impression that Prince Edward's wife pushes her royal credentials forward at every opportunity. She is still trying to put the furore surrounding her public relations company R-JH behind her.

A source close to Sophie said: "The full title is rather grand and it takes up quite a bit of space.

"It seems to be a reminder of just who she has become. It tells you she is Her Royal Highness and a Countess in one line. I think 'Sophie Wessex' would have been quite sufficient."

A royal insider added: "If Sophie is trying to show she's in touch with the people, she's not exactly going the right way about it. She's unpopular enough as it is with the British public.

"Having her royal title printed on the cheques of what, let's face it, is your common high street bank, is hardly likely to win her back any fans."

Sophie has courted controversy since she was accused of cashing in on her royal connections with her former PR company. She gave up her career after a string of embarrassing comments to an undercover reporter about the Royal Family and PM Tony Blair.

But fresh controversy surrounding her new role as roving emissary for the Queen has continued to dog Sophie and her equally-disliked husband.

The pair are being given an extra pounds 250,000 to tour the world. They are currently in America on a trip Edward is expected to use to investigate the possibility of a lucrative new job as a public speaker.

A Sunday Mirror poll after the Queen Mother's death revealed the Wessexes are even ahead of the gaffe-prone Prince Philip as the most unpopular royals.

They got a measly 2.75 when we asked how much they contributed to a positive image of the Royal Family on a scale of one to 10.

Sophie's free use of her "HRH" title could be a reminder to the likes of the Duchess of York that she is considerably more royal than them.

Fergie lost hers when she divorced Prince Andrew and Diana was famously stripped of her HRH title after her divorce battle with Charles.

A spokesman for HSBC said: "We can't comment on this individual case. But people can have any title they hold printed on their cheque books."

And a banking industry spokesman said: "So long as the signature matches the specimen signature given when opening the account, there is nothing wrong with someone signing their cheques with a different name or just their first name.

"Someone can sign their name Mickey Mouse if they want, so long as that was their specimen signature in the first place."

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