20 January 2024 , 10:00
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She's often regarded as the Royal Family's secret weapon and a safe pair of hands when it comes to representing the monarchy.
But it seems it wasn't always as easy for Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, to naviage public life. In fact, the wife of the late Queen's youngest son Prince Edward, previously spoke out about how it "took her a while to find her feet" after transitioning from having a successful career in PR to a full-time royal. But now many years on Sophie, who is celebrating her 59th birthday today, appears to be one of the most popular out of all of the senior working royals.
The two women together at Royal Ascot in 2018 (UK Press)So when it was announced that actress Meghan Markle would be marrying Sophie's nephew Prince Harry, it seemed natural that the late Queen suggested the Duchess could mentor the royal newcomer. However, according to a book, Meghan "made it clear" she didn't need Sophie's help and would instead rely on her new husband.
The Duchess of Sussex quit her acting career upon marrying Harry in 2018 and pledged to "hit the ground running" on becoming a working royal. But author and friend of the royals Gyles Brandreth in his book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, he writes: "The Queen (who, of course, had seen it all before) understood that Harry's girl might find adjusting to Royal life 'challenging to begin with' (as she put it). 'It is very jolty, but you soon get used to it' ? that was Her Majesty's experience going back many years.
"To help Meghan, the Queen suggested that her daughter-in-law, Sophie Wessex, would be an ideal mentor. 'Sophie can help show you the ropes,' said the Queen. "Meghan made it clear that she did not feel she needed Sophie's help. She had Harry."
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The Duchess of Edinburgh plays table football during her visit to Community Projects at Burwell Hall earlier this week (UK Press via Getty Images)Meghan and Sophie's bond came under focus in September when they travelled together in the same car during the Queen's state funeral and her coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in 2022. Sophie, who grew up in a middle-class family and founded a PR firm before joining the Royal Family, has been compared with Meghan - as they both underwent a huge transition upon joining the family.
The former monarch also invited Sophie to several church services together and they enjoyed watching old movies together. Her late Majesty was also extremely close to Sophie's children, her youngest grandchildren - Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount James.
According to The Times, Sophie was the first member of the royal family to visit the Sussexes following the birth of Archie in 2019, going to the couple's Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. In a rare interview with The Sunday Times, Sophie compared her experiences to Meghan's.
Speaking to the paper, she compared Meghan and Harry's experience to hers with Edward, she commented: "Remember I'd had five years to adjust [to royal life]. And for our six-month engagement, I was even staying at Buckingham Palace. Not that you necessarily know how it will pan out."
Speaking about the Sussexes exit from the firm, she added: "I just hope they will be happy.? But possibly more pointedly, she said that the royal family do all they can to try to assist new members to adjust to the royal life, adding: "We all try to help any new members of the family?