Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, is reportedly “relieved” after a strict royal rule modified following her promotion previous this yr. In keeping with pals of the Duchess, Sophie, 60, now not must curtsey to Meghan Markle.
This alteration comes after Sophie was once made Duchess of Edinburgh previous this yr to mark her husband Prince Edward’s 61st birthday. Ahead of her new identify, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was once upper within the royal pecking order.
Sophie’s upward push throughout the Royal Circle of relatives
Sophie has come a ways from her early years rising up in a quiet village in Kent. After finishing a secretarial direction, Sophie moved to London to paintings for Capital Radio, the place she first met Edward in 1987.
The pair didn’t get started courting right away, as Edward was once first of all seeing considered one of Sophie’s pals. It was once a number of years later that their dating blossomed, in the end resulting in their marriage ceremony in 1999.
Sophie has since transform one of the hardworking individuals of the Royal Circle of relatives. She is patron of greater than 70 charities and organisations and undertakes over 200 engagements every yr.
A poignant second for Sophie
© PA Pictures by the use of Getty PicturesThe transfer from Countess of Wessex to Duchess of Edinburgh was once a specifically important second for Sophie. She described the promotion as feeling like “rather a large second” because of its connection to the overdue Queen Elizabeth II.
The Duchess of Edinburgh identify carries ancient weight, prior to now held by means of girls together with Queen Elizabeth and Queen Camilla. Sophie has since proudly stepped into the position, supporting her husband Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh, in his royal tasks.
Not curtseying to Meghan Markle
© GettyEssentially the most talked-about trade since Sophie’s new identify pertains to royal protocol. In keeping with pals of the Duchess, Sophie was once privately relieved she now not needed to curtsey to Meghan.
Ahead of the identify trade, Meghan, 43, occupied the next rank because of her marriage to Prince Harry. This intended that Sophie was once required by means of protocol to curtsey to the Duchess of Sussex at royal gatherings.
A pal of Sophie printed to journalists: “Sophie is relieved. She now not has to curtsey to anyone within the circle of relatives who has now not best left royal tasks however has spent the previous 3 years criticising the establishment that Sophie works so onerous to enhance.”
Supporting the monarchy quietly and successfully
© WireImageContinuously known as King Charles’ “secret weapon,” Sophie has remained unswerving and dedicated to supporting the monarchy. She steadily represents the King and Queen Camilla at public engagements throughout the United Kingdom and in another country.
© Victoria Jones/Shutterstock1. PR lady
Sophie constructed a a success profession prior to marrying Prince Edward. She labored for Capitol Radio and later introduced her personal public family members company, RJH Public Family members, which she ran together with her industry spouse for 5 years.
2. Canine lover
Sophie is a well known canine lover and is the shopper of the Information Canines for the Blind Affiliation. In January 2025, she visited the organisation’s coaching centre and had lovable pet cuddles with a nine-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pet.
3. Bahamas proposal
Prince Edward proposed to Sophie after 5 years of courting throughout a vacation to the Bahamas in 1998. He introduced her with a two-carat oval diamond, flanked with two-heart formed gem stones.
4. Stepping up
Because the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie is a full-time operating member of the royal circle of relatives. She has augmented her tasks because the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped again from royal tasks and Prince Andrew relinquished his reputable roles. Along this, she balances being a faithful mum to her two youngsters: Woman Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17.
5. Princess marriage ceremony
Her 1999 marriage ceremony to Prince Edward was once low-key however nonetheless attracted 200 million TV audience. Her silk get dressed was once embellished with 325,000 crystals and pearls, and her Anthemion tiara was once decided on from the overdue Queen’s non-public jewelry assortment.
The Duchess has prior to now spoken about her dedication to her royal tasks, emphasising the significance of quiet and secure provider. Her paintings ethic has earned her admiration throughout the royal family, from each members of the family and palace group of workers alike.
Meghan and Harry’s go out from royal tasks
© Samir Hussein/WireImageMeghan and Harry famously stepped again from royal tasks in 2020, relocating first to Canada after which to California. Since then, the couple has been brazenly vital of the royal establishment in quite a lot of interviews, podcasts, and documentaries.
Their public remark at the royal circle of relatives has led to discomfort amongst operating royals, together with Sophie. In spite of this, Sophie has maintained a dignified silence and persevered to concentrate on her personal duties.
Duchess Sophie’s recognition grows
© GettySophie’s recognition amongst royal fanatics has often grown in recent times. Identified for her heat and talent to connect to other people, she is considered some of the royal circle of relatives’s maximum approachable individuals.
Her new identify has best greater her profile, and royal watchers have praised her secure option to public provider. With fewer restrictions now positioned upon her, Sophie is prone to proceed thriving in her royal position.
As she settles into existence because the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie can now put one longstanding royal protocol in the back of her, a lot to her aid.
