Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has been branded King Charles‘ “secret weapon” within the monarchy.
Sophie, 59, is the wife of the king’s youngest brother Prince Edward. Edward and Sophie have stepped up with their royal duties since Charles became king in 2022.
Now, amid their hard work within the monarchy, an expert has said Sophie has “earned every ounce of respect she now has” after “plugging away” behind the scenes.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, branded ‘secret weapon’ to King Charles
Speaking to OK!, royal author Katie Nicholl said: “Now, more than ever, we’re seeing what a vital cog Sophie is in the royal machine. People say she is the ‘secret weapon’ within the monarchy, and I think that’s absolutely true, because she’s always there at pivotal moments to help steady the ship.
“She’s seen as a very safe pair of hands, which really became evident during the final years of the late queen’s life as she relied more and more on her substitutes.”
Katie said Sophie has been a “real asset” for the king during his cancer ordeal this year. Meanwhile, Katie said the king “definitely values Sophie’s loyalty and all her hard work very highly”.
Sophie has been ‘waiting in the wings for years’ within the royal family
Meanwhile, royal commentator and author Ingrid Seward added of Sophie: “Like the Princess of Wales, Sophie was waiting in the wings for years, but that’s probably how she thought she had to be as a woman joining the monarchy. She’s been plugging away behind the scenes, and has earned every ounce of respect she now has. It’s taken so long for people to realise what she does, and how much she takes on.”
Now, more than ever, we’re seeing what a vital cog Sophie is in the royal machine.
The Duchess of Edinburgh also shares a close bond with her nephew Prince William and his wife Kate, Princess of Wales.
Earlier this year, royal author Claudia Joseph said she’s sure Sophie has “been a tower of strength through Kate’s cancer diagnosis”.
She added to The Sun‘s Fabulous mag: “They are incredibly close and live only 11 miles from each other. Kate in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park and Sophie at Bagshot Park.
Sophie’s close bond with Kate, Princess of Wales
“She is 17 years older than Kate and has seen and done it all before.
“She has found that Sophie is a true confidante and sounding board. They have developed a mutual respect and an unbreakable bond.”
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Sophie married Prince Edward in 1999. They have two children – Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17.
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