Princess Kate and William relying on 'rare' bond with Sophie and Edward for support
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has long been seen as a major support base for members of the Royal Family.
Speaking in a video by the Daily Mail, Ms English said the relationship between the two couples had "really developed over the years" and had written about how "close Sophie and Catherine" had become.
She added that she had seen "William and Sophie chatting and giggling, and laughing and joking together" at a Buckingham Palace reception. She added that it was "kind of rare to see that interaction. You can see the genuinely warm relationship there is between them".
Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, have recently been made Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh following over 20 years as the Wessexes. Meanwhile, heir to the throne Prince William and Princess Kate have experienced a tumultuous start to the year and may be grateful for the support of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
In recent months, much has been made in particular of the close bond between Sophie and her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
READ MORE: Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson's Paris to be turned into museum
Speaking on TalkTV’s Royal Tea, royal commentator Daisy McAndrew said “we know Sophie and the Queen were very, very close”.
After the death of Sophie’s mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, in 2005, Sophie reportedly began calling the late Queen “Mama”.
It was also claimed Sophie was asked by the Queen to join her on trips from her residence to church because she found Sophie’s presence “soothing”.
Furthermore, sources have also suggested that Sophie became the Queen’s “unlikely rock” following the death of Prince Philip in 2021.
Royal author Duncan Larcombe told the Sun in 2021: “Sophie Wessex has emerged as the Queen’s unlikely ‘rock’ as the monarch adjusts to life without Prince Philip.
“Prince Edward’s wife has, according to sources, made it her personal mission to ensure Her Majesty is fully supported by the family.”
Mr Larcombe said this bond between Sophie and the Queen was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said: “Like so many families during the first national lockdown, Her Majesty was unable to see her favourite daughter-in-law, but as restrictions started to lift, Sophie was one of the few people inside her Covid bubble.
“When Philip died, Sophie was an obvious choice to step up and ensure the Queen was being looked after, given she lives minutes down the road.”
Don't miss...
Kate sends message to Harry with 'power play' to prove Firm 'matters' [LATEST]
Prince Harry's six Coronation 'demands' as Sussexes mull UK return [LATEST]
Meghan and Harry 'should stay away’ from Coronation – YOU VOTED [LATEST]
Sophie later revealed in an interview with the Telegraph that during the peak of the pandemic, she and the Queen would try and communicate from balcony to balcony.
She said: “We used to see them stand on the balcony, which was about 20 feet up in the air. We’d see them waving. We’d shout at them and they’d shout back at us. It always seemed to be windy, so we could barely hear each other.”
This desire to ensure support for the Queen was reflected in Sophie’s actions after the death of Prince Philip.
According to sources, Sophie played a role in creating a visiting rota to make sure the Queen didn’t spend too much tie alone after his death.
Sophie also got on well with Prince Philip; royal author Ingrid Seward said: “She knew how to handle him. She made him laugh and was not fazed by his abruptness. She would not let him bully her.”
Following on from his death, the Dukedom of Edinburgh was passed from Prince Philip to then Prince Charles. When Charles became King he decided to pass it onto to Prince Edward so that he and Sophie are now the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.