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Who is the Royals’ favourite Royal? When it comes to lashings of friendly good humour and that 1000-watt smile, there’s only one answer!
- After an undistinguished start as a royal, she became close to the late Queen
- For all the latest Royal news, pictures and video click here
The Duchess of Edinburgh was thought to have been the late Queen’s favourite member of her extended family – and even trusted to watch old war films with the monarch at the weekend!
Brought up in Kent by a tyre company executive father and a secretary mother, Sophie has distanced herself from the turmoil that followed her in her early days as a royal.
But it seems that other members of the family enjoy Sophie’s company just as much as Queen Elizabeth thanks to her natural warmth and common sense.
She has stepped into her ranks and new position of seniority with natural ease.
Here The Mail’s new Royals section looks at times when the Duchess has been there to share a (loud!) laugh or give a hand of comfort to the rest of the family, even in the public eye…
Sophie’s a winner – again! As Kate Middleton’s reaction at Ascot shows, she is a hugely popular member of the Royal Family
King Charles seems tickled in the Duchess of Edinburgh’s company at Royal Ascot in 2022. Almost as much as Sophie!
The Princess of Wales and the Duchess couldn’t contain their laughter in a carriage at Ascot in 2017
Princess Anne, too, seems charmed by Sophie as they attend the Westmorland County Show in 2021
The late Queen, Princess Anne and Sophie all seem amused as they attended the Centenary Annual Meeting of the National Federation of Women’s Institute at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015
Even Prince William is not immune. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh attended a private screening of Rhino Man at Battersea Power Station in June
Sophie was in full force at the London Olympics in 2012. Prince Philip and husband Edward seem amused
The Princess of Wales turned and smiled while she shared a word with the Duchess in 2013 at the service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the late Queen’s Coronation
The good humour seems infectious – another warm moment with Kate and Camilla at the annual procession of members of the Order of the Garter in 2012
She’s off again! Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and the Duchess were spotted laughing together at the Rugby Sevens during the Commonwealth Games in 2022
The Duchess shared a moment of laughter with King Charles and Queen Camilla while watching a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from Buckingham Palace balcony in 2018
Another fit of balcony giggles, this time with Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II, Zara Tindall and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Ascot in 2019
Pensive, for once. Prince Philip and Sophie seemed in cahoots as they smiled together while waiting for the start of the Epsom Derby in 2011
The Duchess laughs in response to the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
The late Queen and Prince Philip seemed to enjoy a show at Buckingham Palace during a children’s party in 2006
Prince Harry was seen sharing a joke with Sophie was they arrived for a thanksgiving service for the Queen Mother at St George’s Chapel at Windsor in 2012
The Duchess seemed to keep Queen Camilla in high spirits at a memorial service for Lord Lichfield at Wellington Barracks
Her caring side: Sophie places a comforting hand on Princess Anne’s back as they wait alongside Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence for the arrival of the hearse carrying the coffin of the her mother, the late Queen, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in September 2022
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