Duchess Sophie to hold key role in the Firm once Prince William ascends the throne

Trusted abroad and at home as one of King Charles’s most dependable stand-ins, Duchess Sophie has also won the admiration of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who consider her a key ally for when their own reign begins.

Insiders say William and Kate are keen to have the down-to-earth duchess at their side in the critical years ahead, both as a reassuring public presence and to offer crucial family support behind palace walls.

In recent years, Kate and Sophie have grown ever closer, with the duchess offering much-needed comfort after a “brutal” year for the princess and her family.

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Last November, as Kate attended Remembrance Sunday following her chemotherapy treatment, Sophie was seen placing a reassuring hand on her back.

The following month, Sophie was again at Kate’s side during her annual Christmas carol concert. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond says: “Sophie has been there for Catherine from the start as a mentor, and perhaps as someone she can share the peculiar ups and downs of royal life with. I think they have a real mutual affection and friendship.”

Jennie also believes Sophie’s support will be key once William and Kate become king and queen. She explains: “With no Harry to lean on, William will be grateful that [Sophie and her husband Prince Edward] are willing to bear their share of the considerable workload.”

Last week the duke and duchess took on engagements in Japan, while earlier this year Sophie represented the King in Bosnia on the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.

For Jennie, there is one clear reason why the mum-of-two has seen her international profile soar. She says: “Sophie’s very down-to-earth, that’s why she’s so popular with the public – and with the royal family.

“She’s trusted by them and has shown she can pull her weight to carry out a steady round of royal duties – many with no great fanfare or fuss.”

Sophie and Edward’s trip to Japan meant missing US president Donald Trump ’s headline-grabbing state visit at Windsor Castle – but Jennie says the couple were right to prioritise their overseas mission.

She explains: “The four-day trip has been all about strengthening bilateral relations. The engagements themselves were less important than the fact two senior royals travelled to cement the post-war friendship between the UK and Japan. The Imperial House of Japan is recognised as the world ’s oldest continuous hereditary monarchy and commands deep respect.”

Recalling a visit to Tokyo by Diana, Princess of Wales in the 1990s, Jennie says: “The crowds were enthusiastic and curious, they loved her comparatively down-to-earth attitude. The Princess herself performed the deepest curtsy I’ve ever seen when she met the emperor.”

Like Diana, Sophie is known for tackling tough subjects head-on. Her high-profile duties have included visiting Ukraine and Iraq, supporting women who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence.

Earlier this year she confessed her work can “take its toll” on her emotions, but added: “I hope that I make a difference. It’s very hard because sometimes these issues are overwhelming because of the scale.

“But of course, being practical, my role and my husband’s role is to support the King – as it was [previously] to support the Queen. We are fortunate because we are able to not be in a front-and-centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests.”

On her “secret weapon” tag, Sophie laughed it off, saying: “I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment. I don’t see myself in a frontline position per se. That said, admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more I’m becoming less secretive. I just wonder what they’re going to describe me as next…”

On the Edinburghs’ growing status as working royals, Jennie says: “In a different scenario, they might have expected to play a more minor role.

“But with the working royals now so thin on the ground, they have full-time, high-profile jobs. Almost by default, Edward and Sophie have found themselves becoming increasingly important to the future of the monarchy.”