The Duchess of Edinburgh has emerged as King Charles’ ‘secret weapon’ within the Royal Family, becoming one of the most respected and admired figures in the monarchy today, according to a royal expert.
Having been part of the Royal Family for over 25 years, Sophie’s unwavering support for Prince Edward, “dedication to charitable causes, and warm, approachable demeanour” have won her the hearts of both the royals and the public.
She appeared alongside King Charles and other senior members of the Royal Family on Christmas Day as she approaches her 60th birthday in January.
Broadcaster and author Katie Nicholl tells OK!: “Now, more than ever, we’re seeing what a vital cog Sophie is in the royal machine. People say she is the ‘secret weapon’ within the monarchy.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh has emerged as King Charles’ ‘secret weapon’ within the Royal Family, becoming one of the most respected and admired figures in the monarchy today, according to a royal expert
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“She’s always there at pivotal moments to help steady the ship,” Nicholl adds. “She’s seen as a very safe pair of hands.”
Sophie has proved particularly valuable during King Charles’ illness, with Nicholl noting: “He definitely values Sophie’s loyalty and all her hard work very highly.”
The late Queen reportedly considered Sophie her “favourite daughter-in-law”, with their bond so strong that Sophie was dubbed the monarch’s “rock” following Prince Philip’s death.
Sophie’s workload increased significantly in 2024, particularly as the King and Princess of Wales scaled back duties during their cancer treatments.
She appeared alongside King Charles and other senior members of the Royal Family on Christmas Day
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In September 2024 alone, she carried out 37 royal engagements, more than double her 18 engagements in the same month the previous year.
“A lot of her work goes unrecognised,” says Katie Nicholl. “She’s always very engaging and really gets involved. She is very warm, very approachable and popular with people.”
In 2023, Sophie undertook 219 official engagements, ranking among the top five most industrious royals.
In October, Sophie became the first Royal to officially visit Chad, where she comforted survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
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Sophie’s unwavering support for Prince Edward, dedication to charitable causes, and warm, approachable demeanour have won her the hearts of both the royals and the public
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She also undertook a solo trip to Tanzania, delivering a message from the King, and made history as the first Royal to visit Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
As patron of over 70 organisations and charities, Sophie advocates for causes supporting young people, women’s rights, and the disabled.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl attributes Sophie’s refreshing approach to her non-royal background, noting: “It largely comes from the fact that she wasn’t born royal and came from a normal family.”
Her work includes addressing sensitive topics like menopause and menstruation, while maintaining a relatable presence at home, from cuddling chickens to high-fiving children in Surrey.