How Sophie has become Kate’s closest ally: ‘Maternal’ Duchess is a huge support to Princess of Wales – and it’s come about because of the void left by Meghan

Since marrying into the Royal Family 25 years ago, the Duchess of Edinburgh has proven herself to be one of the Firm’s key players – averaging over 100 engagements a year and becoming a champion for women’s rights.

But yesterday, the royal mother-of-two, 59, stepped up to the plate in a different way: acting as a source of unwavering support for the Princess of Wales in one of her first public appearances since completing cancer treatment.

Yesterday morning, Sophie joined Kate on the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – where they watched the Remembrance Sunday service unfold. 

As they stepped into public view, the Princess hinted to her husband’s aunt that she was feeling overwhelmed – reportedly telling her: ‘You’re never quite ready for this…’ 

After reassuring the Princess, the Duchess of Edinburgh placed a supportive, ‘maternal’ hand on the future Queen’s back as they walked back inside following the two-minute silence, which was broadcast live to the nation. 

The two women, who come from similar middle-class backgrounds, have formed an undeniably close bond over the 13 years.

In the early days of Kate’s relationship with Prince William, insiders claimed Sophie offered to help guide the Princess of Wales as she began her royal journey.

Although Sophie’s mentorship is something Kate seems to have cherished, the same can’t be said for Meghan Markle – who reportedly dismissed the Queen’s advice that the Duchess of Edinburgh help her adapt to life as a senior working royal.

Here FEMAIL delves into the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh’s close relationship – as Sophie supports Kate in her royal return. 

Sophie as a ‘true confidante’ to Kate 

After marrying Prince William in 2011, the Princess of Wales is said to have found a ‘mentor’ in Sophie.

Having lost her own mother Mary Rhys-Jones, to stomach cancer in 2005 at just 71, Sophie had taken to affectionately calling the Queen ‘Mama’. 

According to royal biographer Claudia Joseph, the Queen suggested the-then Countess of Wessex, who had become a ‘second daughter’ to her, take the new Duchess under her wing.

Royal biographer Claudia Joseph told The Sun: ‘[Sophie] 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 and they have developed a mutual respect and an unbreakable bond.’ 

Before she married Prince Edward in 1999, Sophie had forged a successful career in PR. To begin with, the newlyweds insisted on trying to break the mould and forge lucrative commercial careers – she in PR and he in TV production – in tandem with their royal duties.

But just two years into their marriage, the Countess was a target of a ‘sting’ by the News of the World. 

Reporter Mazher Mahmood posed as a sheikh’s assistant during a meeting where Sophie made a series of regrettable comments about the PM and the royals.

The royal later apologised for the ‘horribly indiscreet’ comments she made about Tony Blair and other royals. Sophie and Edward subsequently wound down their businesses and dug in to royals duties, rebuilding their reputations within the Royal Family.

As a result, the Duchess was well placed to advise the Princess of Wales of some of the challenges of being in the public eye.

Royal expert Jennie Bond told Ok! magazine: ‘Sophie knew exactly what lay in wait for Catherine as she joined the family and she knew it wouldn’t always be easy.

‘By nature, Sophie is a kind and generous person who has always been happy to act as sounding board, mentor, confidante.’

Sophie ‘secretly shops for Kate’

However, Sophie is more than just a mentor to Kate – as she’s also been known to play the role of secret shopper for the Princess.

In September 2019, designer Donna Ida revealed the Duchess of Edinburgh, who shares Kate’s love of fashion, will often pick out items for her beloved niece.

Speaking to the Mail’s Sebastian Shakespeare, Donna explained: ‘My friend, a stylist, is best friends with Sophie Wessex, and Sophie buys from us.

‘She got our [£295] black Sadie jumpsuit for herself and then asked for one for Kate. 

‘She said: “Kate wants one, can I get one as well?” 

‘Kate’s never been seen wearing it in public. It’s home-wear.’ 

Although they rarely get to complete engagements together, Kate and Sophie hosted a reception to celebrate the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace in London in 2018 – where high profile guests included Vogue editor Anna Wintour and designer Stella McCartney.

At the time, the Princess of Wales was expecting Prince Louis – and was happy for her aunt to take the lead during the tour of the fashion exhibition. 

On top of this, the royal women’s strong connection is also reflected in their working wardrobes. 

Despite their 17-year age gap, Sophie has forged a close alliance with Kate and mirrored her sartorial choices on several occasions, including state occasions and more informal appearances.

The duo’s unbreakable bond was evident at the 2023 Buckingham Palace Garden Party, when they stepped out wearing carefully coordinating ensembles, adorned with ruffles and bows.

The royals’ coordinating aesthetic was also evident when they stepped out wearing glittering Erdem dresses in 2017 and 2023 respectively.

Kate, who was attending the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017 in London, selected a shin-length metallic lace dress by the British fashion designer.

Meanwhile, Sophie dazzled in the floor-length version, which also incorporated semi-sheer sleeves and a pleated skirt, for the 2022 Royal Variety Performance, some five years later.

It seems the royals also compare notes when it comes to their hair too – as both Sophie and Kate are reportedly regular clients at the Richard Ward hair salon in Chelsea, which is only a stone’s throw from Kensington Palace. 

The power duo also opted for co-ordinating white outfits and similar headpieces for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in May 2023. 

Kate and Sophie ‘like sisters’ 

Kate and Sophie are said to have something of a ‘sisterly’ bond thanks to their shared interests and cheeky sense of humour.

In 2017, the royals couldn’t contain their giggles when Sophie almost fell onto Kate as they arrived in a carriage at Royal Ascot.

The Duchess had gone to kiss her niece on the cheek when the carriage came to a dramatic stop – sending Sophie flying forwards.

The women were pictured roaring with laughter as Kate put a stablising hand on Sophie to ensure she kept her balance. 

Jennie Bond added: ‘They’ve often been seen enjoying a private joke in public and certainly seem more like sisters than aunt and niece by marriage. 

‘Sophie has retained a girlishness about her, while Catherine – perhaps because of her very senior role in the family – sometimes seems mature beyond her years. ‘

Just like her niece, the Duchess of Edinburgh is incredibly active – and reportedly regularly goes running, attends Pilates classes and especially loves cycling.

In September 2016, the mother-of-two cycled 450 miles from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales – who was labelled a ‘fitness junkie’ by an insider in 2016 – was a keen hockey and tennis player at school. Following Prince Harry’s departure from the Royal Family, Kate has also taken over his role as the royal patron of the Rugby Football Union.

Kate ‘frequently turned to Sophie’ during cancer treatment

Earlier this year, the Princess of Wales revealed in an emotional video that she was undergoing cancer treatment – following an abdominal surgery in January.

In the months that followed, the royal stepped out of the spotlight to undergo a round of ‘preventative’ chemotherapy, which she completed in September. 

During this challenging time, royal expert Jennie Bond said the Princess of Wales knew she could ‘frequently turn’ to her aunt.

The expert told the Mirror in July: ‘I have no doubt that Sophie has been someone to whom Catherine has frequently turned.

‘I’m sure both Sophie and Edward would have been in close contact with William and Catherine throughout her illness, offering moral support as well as practical help by stepping up to take on extra royal duties while both she and the King recover.’ 

What’s more, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s home Bagshot Park is just a 20 minute drive from Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, where the Prince and Princess of Wales relocated in 2022. Other than Prince Andrew, Edward and Sophie are the family members who live closest to the Wales family.

In Our King: Charles III — The Man And The Monarch Revealed, biographer Robert Jobson revealed how the late Queen had recommended that Meghan, then the fiancee of her grandson, ask Sophie for help before her wedding day.

But Meghan offered only a curt reply to the monarch, saying: ‘I’ve got Harry.’ 

The Queen had been determined that Harry and Meghan’s marriage would be off to a good start and offered the Duchess the help of one of her most trusted aides in Sophie. 

She had undoubtedly expected her kind offer to be met with gratitude and was surprised to be rejected by the American actress, who believed that the help of her husband would be enough. 

Queen Elizabeth II believed strongly that Meghan – a divorced, mixed-race American actress – would be a a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the monarchy. 

And while things started positively, after the royal couple stepped back from duties at the beginning of 2020, their relationship with the rest of the family began to disintegrate. 

The Duchess of Edinburgh – who acted in a ‘maternal’ way towards Kate at yesterday’s Remembrance Service – became a mainstay of the Queen’s household after the death of Prince Philip. 

It was said after she was granted the rank of Duchess, that Sophie was ‘relieved’ she would no longer have to curtsey to Meghan. 

Sophie had previously been duty-bound to defer to Prince Harry’s wife who, as a Duchess, was of a higher rank. 

A friend of the couple said: ‘Sophie is relieved. She no longer has to curtsey to someone in the family who has not only left Royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support.’