THE PRINCESS OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH

OFFERING SUPPORT AND KINDNESS IN A TIME OF NEED - INSIDE KATE'S CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH SOPHIE - THE 'OLDER SISTER SHE NEVER HAD'

- EMILY NASH AND TRACY SCHAVERIEN

It was an almost imperceptible gesture, but one that spoke volumes.

As the Princess of Wales turned to leave the annual Service of Remembrance on Whitehall after making a poignant return to royal duties, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who had watched the emotional event beside her, placed a reassuring hand on her back.

Kate, who has been seen in public only a handful of times this year, had been determined to attend the important event, where her husband the Prince was laying a wreath, and Sophie had moved from her original position on another balcony to support her after the Queen pulled out for health reasons.

It was the latest demonstration of sisterly closeness between the two women, and one which revealed just how much the royals have wrapped a protective arm around stoic Kate during this most difficult of years.

“The royals have always shown a human side but there is more warmth now,” royal author Ingrid Seward tells HELLO!. “That gesture of Sophie putting her arm around Kate is something you wouldn’t have seen a few years ago.”

“That moment said a lot,” agrees royal biographer Robert Jobson. “The royal family are all looking after Kate and there is a protective bubble around her.”

As the royal women stood shoulder to shoulder on the balcony overlooking the Cenotaph, they chatted warmly to one another and exchanging knowing looks, just as they have done at both public and private royal gatherings.

MUCH IN COMMON

The close bond they have always shared seems only to have grown stronger since Kate revealed in March that she was being treated for cancer. Like other family members, Sophie has been a tower of strength but, as a fellow mother who has faced her own health crisis in the past, she no doubt has a deeper understanding of the emotional toll the past few months have taken on Kate.