Duchess Sophie's Relief: No More Curtseying to Meghan Markle!
Royal Rumble: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Steals the Spotlight
In a shocking turn of events, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has emerged as the royal favorite in town, leaving Meghan Markle and Harry in her dust. This savvy socialite's down-to-earth nature and commitment to philanthropy have earned her the Queen's seal of approval, making her the safest pair of hands in The Firm.
As a patron of over 70 charities and organizations, including Childline and the London College of Fashion, Sophie's dedication to giving back is unmatched. She undertakes an astonishing 200 engagements each year, visiting schools, hospitals, and military bases, leaving a trail of adoration in her wake. Her latest title change was nothing short of poignant, as she became a Duchess in 2023 to mark Prince Edward's 59th birthday – a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
But it wasn't just about protocol; Sophie confessed that the change felt like "quite a big moment" due to its connection to the beloved monarch. Little did anyone know that this promotion also meant one less person to curtsey to – Meghan Markle, whose relationship with Sophie has been anything but cordial since day one.
According to insiders, Sophie is "relieved" to no longer have to show deference to Meghan, who has spent years criticizing the institution that Sophie works tirelessly to support. When Meghan entered the royal fold fresh from her stint in Suits, the Queen tasked Sophie with teaching her the ropes – but Meghan was allegedly "not interested" in receiving advice.
Sophie's clever quip about stepping in for Meghan and Harry after they stepped down as senior royals still has tongues wagging: "What did people think we were doing beforehand?" She also chuckled along with Prince Edward when asked about their infamous Oprah Winfrey interview, saying "Oprah, who?" – a witty remark that left many giggling.
The Sussexes' explosive tell-all might have dominated headlines, but Sophie remained diplomatic, wishing them well and emphasizing the royal family's efforts to assist new members: "I just hope they will be happy." She added pointedly, "We all try to help any new members of the family."
A telling moment came when Sophie traveled with Meghan in a car down The Mall ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral in September 2022. Royal expert Camilla Tominey noted that Sophie was described as a "savvy peacemaker" who may be tasked with soothing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of The Firm.
Sophie's reputation as a mediator is well-documented, having stepped in to calm the waters on multiple occasions. She even sought out Harry for a 30-minute chat after his father's funeral, showcasing her ability to bridge divides within the family. A former aide praised Sophie: "She's down-to-earth and just gets on with it – that's why she's the Queen's favorite daughter-in-law."
In an interview with The Mirror last week, Sophie opened up about stepping into the late Queen's shoes as Duchess of Edinburgh: "It was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married."
She confessed that her role is to support the King, just as it was to support the late Queen – a sentiment echoed by royal expert Russell Myers: "Sophie undoubtedly benefited from Harry and Meghan stepping back from royal life because it has raised her profile." He noted that Sophie's expertise in her subject matter sets her apart, saying she's "really grown into" her role.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams concurred, highlighting Sophie's advocacy work on women's rights: "Meghan is struggling to be an influencer; Sophie has influence in ways that really matter. Meghan boasts about promoting feminism, yet contrast the occasional speech she makes with Sophie's remarkable work visiting areas devastated by war."
The numbers don't lie – a recent YouGov opinion poll revealed 51% of Brits feel positively about Sophie, while only 20% do so for Meghan (12% have a negative view of Sophie compared to 65% for Meghan). Sophie is now the sixth most popular royal, with Meghan ranking 19th.
In contrast to Meghan's plummeting popularity, Sophie's rise has been meteoric. When asked if she likes being seen as the Royal Family's "secret weapon," Sophie joked: "It's all very well being a secret weapon but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret." She added with a wink: "I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment."
As we continue to watch the drama unfold within The Firm, one thing is clear – Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has solidified her place as the royal darling. Will Meghan and Harry ever regain their former popularity? Only time will tell, but for now, Sophie's got this.
