Sophie's Choice The Queen's Saving Grace

She’s rising through the royal ranks

For almost 20 years, Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has quietly and confidently devoted her life to the royal family, dutifully carrying out engagements for the Queen at home and abroad while raising her children away from the harsh glare of the public eye.

But now, with senior royal numbers dwindling, the 55-year-old is set to take a starring role – and no-one is happier than the Queen herself, who has always had a soft spot for her youngest son’s wife.

“Sophie is a longtime favourite of the Queen and has been singled out as a person the palace would like to help ease the burden,” an insider tells Woman's Day. “She’s very popular with other senior royals like Prince Charles and Camilla, and has proved to be extremely good at public engagements.”

As the royals come to terms with their new reality after the shock exit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, an expert last week warned they’re in danger of becoming “seriously understaffed”. With Prince Harry and Meghan starting their new life in Canada and Prince Andrew stood down over his disastrous friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, royal author Phil Dampier said they needed to act decisively to ensure the continuing success of the monarchy. He believed former PR woman Sophie would be the perfect person to take on a greater role.