It’s a sweet, spontaneous sibling gesture that says more about the future of the Royal Family than any public announcement could. Leaving last weekend’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony, the Duchess of Edinburgh placed a gentle hand on the back of the Princess of Wales and – in doing so – publicly declared her role as Catherine’s ‘wing lady’.
Whether giggling on the landau at Royal Ascot or exchanging amused glances over his wife’s plumed finery in the Order of the Garter procession, the two HRHs have quickly become a royal double act.
While it’s easy to liken their relationship to the days of Diana and Fergie’s royal friendship, Sophie and Catherine’s close relationship remains a very different proposition.
At first glance, their closeness is surprising: the 59-year-old duchess broke boundaries before marrying Prince Edward, setting up her own PR business and becoming the first royal girlfriend to stay at the Palace.
Although she was 17 years younger than her ‘aunt-in-law’, Catherine was never one to count. She took a part-time job (with the fashion brand Jigsaw) after university which suited her relationship with the heir to the throne.
Common causes associated with working royals also show differences.
While the future Queen has focused on domestic issues such as mental health and the welfare of young children, Sophie has traveled solo to Chad, Ethiopia and even war-torn Ukraine – campaigning for women’s rights and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Sophie placed her gentle hand on Kate’s back at last weekend’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony
But there was no rivalry between them, as claimed in the early days of Diana and Sarah.
Both respect their work and support their approach to the royal role.
I’m told that Catherine also has a ‘great admiration’ for Sophie as mother to Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 21, and the Earl of Wessex, 16 – both of whom have been brought up to appreciate the privilege of having freedom away from the royal radar. .
This is the approach that Catherine tried with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in the limits of their higher profile and future roles.
Catherine is said to be very fond of the headstrong Lady Louise, studying English literature at her alma mater St Andrews.
Louise is a member of the University’s Officer Training Corps and is interested in pursuing a career in the military, diplomacy or law. Some in royal circles suspect that, under the incoming King William V, Lady Louise may be asked to support the family with an ever-increasing number of royal engagements – and to add to her dwindling ranks.
‘She is a delightful young lady and will be a real asset,’ said a family friend.
Sources said that the princesses and princesses who were brought up in comfort and middle class also gave them a unique approach to royal life.
While Catherine’s parents made their fortune from their mother Carole Middleton’s wedding goods business, Sophie’s father, now 93, is a sales director for an importer of industrial tires and rubber goods. Both love sports, outdoorsy children and have a passion for skiing and tennis.
And the strength of family ties itself has prevented one from being ‘consumed’ by the institution.
When Sophie lost her mother Mary Rhys-Jones 19 years ago, her father Christopher remained in her life.
So did the Middletons, who lived near Wales’ home in Berkshire, and continued to provide Catherine with a much-needed link to the ‘outside world’.
Their relationship also allows the two royals to maintain a healthy distance from internal family politics.
Interestingly, I’m told, the two ‘repeatedly’ reached out to Meghan when she joined the royal family – Sophie in particular because the late Queen appreciated her wise and firm advice.
She continued to do so even after the Duchess of Sussex first expressed her displeasure in 2019, telling journalist Tom Bradby that some people had asked her if she was ‘OK’ as she struggled to adapt to royal life.
Catherine and Sophie at the Windsor Castle Ceremony last year
The pair shared a laugh after Sophie lost her balance at Royal Ascot in 2017
The two women were ‘surprised’ (and maybe a little angry) at the suggestion – not least because they felt it was Meghan who turned them down.
But I know he’s worried enough about the power of the Duchess of Sussex that he continues to offer his support. Needless to say, it was not taken up. There is no doubt that the ensuing ‘Sussex saga’ will bring Sophie and Catherine closer as they defend Queen Elizabeth, her own family and the institutions she has worked so hard to support.
The relationship has only strengthened over the past year, which is difficult. It helps that two women live 20 minutes drive from each other – Catherine in Windsor and Sophie in Bagshot Park.
And the duchess may be uniquely placed to offer some personal insight into Catherine’s health battles as she appears in the public eye.
In 2001, Sophie suffered a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy after a fall at home.
Two years after the loss, she was ‘minutes from dying’ when she gave birth to her first baby Lady Louise – losing a lot of blood and requiring an emergency C-section. Pregnancy with her son James was also dangerous.
But in other lifestyle issues they have a bond.
They’re both keen country ladies and ‘gym bunnies’ (all agree Sophie looks better than ever as she approaches her 60th birthday in January) and have shared their fashion tips.
Designer Donna Ida said Catherine loved the £295 black jumpsuit the duchess bought from her collection so much that she got one too.
‘Super’ Sophie also came to the wise Catherine’s rescue at Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018, quickly removing her dress as it was blown away by the wind. Talk about girl code!
It is clear why the late Queen saw her son-in-law as a safe and reliable pair of hands.
He would have been very happy, said his friends, that the Princess had become a trusted confidante for his beloved grandson’s wife.
And these friends have no doubt that they will continue to be sources of strength and advice as Catherine approaches her future role as Queen.
“There are some very kind and wise people along the way who have helped the princess over the years, and Sophie is one of them,” a royal insider said. Mark Foster-Brown, a close friend of the Edinburghs, also echoed this, previously telling: ‘Sophie has been a positive point of reference and sounding board for the Duchess of Cambridge. Their relationship is really getting stronger. It will be absolutely critical for (daughters) to have female backup.
‘And she just couldn’t be better than someone like Sophie.’
