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The Duchess of Edinburgh has firmly established herself as one of the hardest working members of the Royal Family after stepping up to fill the gap left by King Charles and the Princess of Wales’ health crises.
With His Majesty, 75, continuing his cancer treatment and Kate, 42, slowly easing herself back into work after revealing she has completed chemotherapy, Sophie has become increasingly important to The Firm.
More and more, the 59-year-old wife of Prince Edward is being called upon to represent the Royal Family, both on the world stage and at home.
Indeed, the number of royal engagements carried out by the Windsor-based mother-of-two has more than doubled this month compared to the same time in 2023, reported The Times.
The Duchess has completed 37 engagements so far in September, compared to 18 in the same dates last year.
Sophie appeared in her element on Wednesday as she visited an animal sanctuary in Surrey, where she sweetly cuddled a rescue chicken called ‘Stumpy’
She appeared in her element on Wednesday as she visited an animal sanctuary in Surrey, where she sweetly cuddled a rescue chicken called ‘Stumpy’.
Sophie, known for being a good sport, even had the opportunity to take part in the weighing of Shetland Ponies with young children from the local community at Mane Chance Sanctuary, a horse rescue charity.
Last week, Sophie travelled solo to Tanzania, delivering a message from the King to the Commonwealth nation, whilst at the start of the month, she was in France for the Paris Paralympics, alongside Prince Edward.
Earlier this year, the Duchess further proved her importance in the Royal Family as she represented The Firm on the world stage.
In April, Sophie become the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
She met with President Zelensky and his wife – and passed on a personal message from King Charles – as she showed her solitary with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture during her emotional one-day trip.
The mother of-two travelled in her role as champion of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
It is understood she was ‘keen to show her solidarity with men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion’.
Today, Sophie (pictured right) visited the Domaine Evremond Winery in Canterbury
The Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to the Hale Youth & Community Centre on September 25 in Farnham
Last week, Sophie travelled solo to Tanzania (pictured right, during her visit), delivering a message from the King to the Commonwealth nation
In May 2023, Sophie became the first UK royal to visit Baghdad as she made a surprise visit to Iraq as part of her work championing the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
Sophie spent two days in the capital, where she heard about the challenges facing Iraqi women and girls, and the ongoing work to protect and promote their rights, Buckingham Palace announced.
The previously unannounced trip, which was kept secret for security reasons, was made at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in support of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS), the Palace said.
Next month, Sophie will be just as busy as she joins her husband in Malta for several engagements.
It will be a poignant trip for the pair considering the significance the country holds for the Royal Family. It’s where the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip enjoyed their years as young newlyweds.
For many years, Sophie, mother to Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, was something of an outsider in the British Royal Family – but after decades of hard work and loyal service, she has established herself as a key figure in the monarchy.
The Duchess’ key role in the Royal Family became abundantly clear shortly after the King’s May 2023 coronation.
Just a month later, Sophie enjoyed a rare joint engagement with the Prince of Wales as they both attended the screening of Rhino Man at the newly renovated Battersea Power Station in south-west London.
On September 4, Sophie was in France for the Paris Paralympics, alongside Prince Edward (pictured)
Sophie cut a stylish figure at a British Fashion Council event on September 12, wearing tweed trousers and a maroon blouse
It was a rare sight to see Prince Edward’s wife on an outing with only the heir to the British throne – but royal experts said at the time that this was a clear indication of her new and improved status within The Firm.
Speaking to FEMAIL, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the pair’s engagement together was ‘unusual, but it highlighted Sophie’s role as one of the hardest working members of The Royal Family.’
‘William and Catherine have a unique profile as the world’s most glamorous royal couple with enormous soft power reach. Sophie has clearly established herself as their indispensable support,’ said the expert.
He added that the Duchess’ ‘considerable charm’ and similar style to Princess Anne – with both sharing a ‘low-key approach’ – has made her a great addition to The Firm.
The royal expert continued: ‘There is periodic interest in what she wears, but she and her husband Edward are not in the eye of the media storm. That is the way they prefer it.’
However they are pivotal to the monarchy’s charitable role, which is one of its main functions.
‘Her style is similar to Princess Anne, as she prefers a low-key approach to her duties. They have included trips to areas of conflict such as South Sudan and Sierra Leone.’
Royal author Phil Dampier, meanwhile, explained: ‘Sophie is becoming a big star in The Royal Family and boy do they need her!
‘With Harry and Meghan and Prince Andrew off the scene the King has got a slimmed down monarchy, but maybe it’s slimmed down too much.
‘He and the Queen, and Princess Anne are in their seventies and others like the Duke of Kent are approaching retirement.
Patrick McGrath and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh at the Domaine Evremond Winery at Domaine Evremond on September 26
For her outing today, Sophie looked elegant in a check blazer and matching wide-leg trousers
‘Sophie is a much bigger star than her husband Edward. She has a natural warmth and is good on walkabouts. She has been quietly getting on with the job, rather like Anne, and made several visits abroad.’
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, meanwhile, told OK magazine how Sophie – who’s previously been dubbed The Firm’s ‘secret weapon’ by royal author Victoria Murphy – has the ‘common touch’ thanks to her her ‘normal life’ before marrying into The Royal Family.
‘It is so much more evident now that Sophie is a key member of the list of working royals,’ Jennie said. ‘I think people have really taken her into their hearts, especially after she showed her obvious grief at losing Prince Philip and the Queen.’
The former PR girl was said to be a firm favourite of Queen Elizabeth’s, who reportedly viewed her as The Royal Family’s safest pair of hands.
Jennie added: ‘Sophie is absolutely one of the new female stars of the show – elegant, engaging and empathetic’.
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