In a recent interview, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, made it clear that she has no intention of filling the shoes of her royal relatives.
Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, will soon celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in June, and she has become a highly respected and trusted member of the royal family.
She was considered a key figure in the late Queen’s inner circle and was trusted and relied upon by the Queen herself.
The bond between Sophie and the Queen was so strong that some experts even claimed that the Queen saw Sophie as more of a daughter than a daughter-in-law.
They shared similar interests and often spent their weekends together at Windsor, enjoying old war films and historical documentaries.
Sophie’s affection for the Queen was evident when she referred to her as “Mama” in a speech back in 2019.
Despite her low-key and down-to-earth personality, Sophie has worked tirelessly to support the royal family and organizations close to her heart.
Her dedication often goes unnoticed in the media, but it is greatly valued by those who work alongside her.
In her book, “The New Royals, Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown,” royal expert Katie Nicholl highlights Sophie’s importance to the establishment.
Sophie is blazing a trail for the royal family, leading a more ordinary and normal life.
Although this may mean receiving less attention, the organizations she is involved with greatly appreciate her efforts.
Occasionally, Sophie expresses a hint of wistfulness when asked about stepping up in the absence of other senior members, such as Harry, Meghan, and Andrew.
She reminds people of her own accomplishments before marrying into the royal family, having worked in PR and even owning her own business.
It is believed that Meghan was apprehensive about Sophie’s ability to see through her own PR attempts, which led her to refuse any help from Sophie.
With concerns about the functioning of the monarchy arising due to King Charles and Princess Catherine’s temporary absence due to health issues, many speculated that Harry and Meghan would be called back to fulfill their official duties.
However, it seems that Edward and Sophie are more than capable of handling the responsibilities.
As the King and Princess of Wales take time off to recover, the Queen, Princess Anne, and the Duchess of Edinburgh have stepped up to hold the fort for the coming week, representing the senior members of the royal family in public engagements.
The Queen will have daily visits, the details of which will be kept confidential for security reasons.
Princess Anne, known for her hard work within the royal family, will have a packed schedule, traveling across various locations in Scotland, Wales, and England.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh will have one engagement in Surrey, close to her home in Windsor.
This unexpected royal matriarchy will continue until February 7th when the 79-year-old Duke of Gloucester joins the engagements, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh on the 8th.
Prince Edward, who recently returned from trips to South Africa and Saint Helena, will take a short break from his public duties.
Notably, King Charles was absent from the launch of the big help out event, where his speech was read by his communications secretary, Tobin Andrea.
In his message, the King called on the nation to unite during challenging times.
In conclusion, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, has made it clear that she is not here to replace anyone but to serve the royal family and organizations she holds dear.
With the temporary absence of senior members, Sophie, along with the Queen and Princess Anne, will step up and represent the monarchy in various public engagements.