The Duchess of Edinburgh may be celebrating a milestone birthday as she turns 60, and it’s likely she’ll be keen to celebrate alongside some of her closest royal allies. Among those who will no doubt want to mark the occasion with Sophie? Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, with whom the mother-of-two shares a ‘sisterly bond’, according to royal experts. Whilst the Princess of Wales only attended a handful of engagements last year, she was joined by Sophie on a number of appearances.
The Princess of Wales, who recently finished her chemotherapy treatment amidst her cancer battle, was joined by the Duchess on the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Remembrance Sunday. The two women stood side by side for the two minutes’ silence, which was broadcast live to the nation, and watched on as King Charles led the wreath-laying alongside the Prince of Wales and Sir Keir Starmer. But it was in the moments shortly afterwards, when the two exchanged a smile and Sophie placed a reassuring hand onto Kate Middleton’s back, which drew headlines.
In December, Sophie was among those who joined the Princess of Wales for her annual carol service, beaming as she arrived for the Together at Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey. Poignantly, Sophie was given a seat pride of place, sitting on Kate’s left-hand side for the concert.
It should perhaps come as no surprise, showing the close bond between the two women, who married into the royal family and are both known for their stoic and hardworking natures. Since joining The Firm, the two women have cemented their places at the heart of the monarchy. The Duchess and Princess were both loved by Queen Elizabeth II and are now seen as safe pairs of hands when it comes to royal duties.
Experts have long spoken of their bond, with Ingrid Seward, royal author, revealing the women’s shared desire to protect their children will have brought them closer than ever. Speaking to Hello! last year, she called Kate and Sophie ‘incredibly kind girls’, adding, ‘They have a sisterly bond and Sophie is like the older sister Kate never had.
‘They are both protective of their children. Sophie has had a young family, so she knows what it’s like trying to protect them while being in the royal world.’
Seward went on to describe how the Duchess can perhaps empathise with Kate’s health battle, having suffered her own illnesses during her time in the royal family. Sophie, then 38, reportedly nearly died giving birth to her daughter Lady Louise, with Seward saying, ‘She has been there in the background [for Kate], as part of a private support network.’
Perhaps it should come as little surprise that Kate has been leaning on Sophie during the past year or so. Experts have long spoken of how the Duchess had supported the Princess during her transition from royal girlfriend to wife of the future King. Biographer Claudia Joseph previously told The Sun, ‘[Sophie] is 17 years older than Kate and has seen and done it all before […]
‘She has found that Sophie is a true confidante and sounding board and they have developed a mutual respect and an unbreakable bond.’
The Edinburghs and Wales families are also known to be close. In 2020, the then-Cambridges and Wessexes were seen exploring the Christmas-themed Luminate trail walk on Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham estate together. The Prince and Princess of Wales were also pictured alongside Sophie, her husband Prince Edward and their children Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Jennie Bond previously told MailOnline ‘[Sophie and Kate] have often been seen enjoying a private joke in public and certainly seem more like sisters than aunt and niece by marriage.
‘Sophie has retained a girlishness about her, while Catherine – perhaps because of her very senior role in the family – sometimes seems mature beyond her years.’
Last summer, Bond revealed how Kate could ‘frequently turn’ to her aunt during her health struggle, telling The Mirror, ‘I have no doubt that Sophie has been someone to whom Catherine has frequently turned.
‘I’m sure both Sophie and Edward would have been in close contact with William and Catherine throughout her illness, offering moral support as well as practical help by stepping up to take on extra royal duties while both she and the King recover.’
