Growing up at Birstein Castle, the family seat in Hesse, Sophie studied at a primary school in Birstein and at St. Mary's school (de) in Fulda.[1][5] She then attended the boarding school Kloster Wald and passed her A-Levels as well as a trade test as a dressmaker. She undertook internships in her country's Bundestag, and in London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.[3][4] Sophie studied Business Administration at the University of Freiburg and Humboldt University of Berlin and works at a firm that offers consulting services for nonprofit business.[2][6]