ALTHOUGH I haven't much affection for the royal family (especially Edward and Sophie), I did feel terribly sorry for the Countess of Wessex this week.

Not only did she suffer the pain and sadness of losing her baby because of an ectopic

pregnancy - but her inconsiderate husband, in a statement to the media, constantly referred to the poor girl as 'the patient'.

When thanking the staff of the King Edward VII hospital for their wonderful care, he said something such as: "The patient is comfortable and has been well cared for."

If I had been Sophie at this dreadful time my gormless

husband would forever after have been referred to as 'the deceased'.

Ella Hirst,

Coggan Close,

South Bank,

York.

Updated: 11:08 Wednesday, December 12, 2001