Sophie in line to be Duchess of Edinburgh as daughter-in-law who called Queen ‘mama’ takes elevated royal role
- Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, could become the Duchess of Edinburgh
- King Charles was asked by Prince Philip to grant Prince Edward the Duke title
- She became close to the late Queen, her mother-in-law, after her mother died
- The pair used to take frequent walks around Windsor and read history together
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
Sophie the Countess of Wessex is now in line to be elevated to become Duchess of Edinburgh if her husband Prince Edward takes his late father’s title as Duke of Edinburgh as anticipated.
This raise in royal status for Sophie, 57, could be considered a touching tribute to the late Queen’s daughter-in-law who lovingly called her ‘mama’.
Queen Elizabeth II’s title of Duchess of Edinburgh passing to Sophie would give her a front-and-centre role as one of a reduced number of working royals, as King Charles begins to slim down the monarchy.
The final say on rests with the King, the current Duke of Edinburgh after inheriting the role from Prince Philip, on whether he wishes to grant his youngest brother the title.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 04: Sophie, Countess of Wessex (right) and Princess Anne, Princess Royal (second-left) look on as Queen Elizabeth II (centre) cuts a cake celebrating 100 years of the Women’s Institute at the Royal Albert Hall on June 4, 2015
The teary-eyed Countess of Wessex, Sophie studies the floral tributes and loving messages left to her mother-in-law, the Queen, at Crathie Kirk church near Balmoral on Saturday
Lady Louise Windsor, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Anne, Princess Royal wave to the public outside Balmoral Castle on Saturday
Prince Philip had said he wanted his youngest son to take on the title when it was the right time and his oldest son, then Prince Charles, was thought to have agreed.
However, some believed he had come round to changing his mind on the matter after the death of his father – but more recently experts believe Prince Edward will gain the Duke of Edinburgh title, the Telegraph reports.
For the title to change hands the king would need to write letters patent – an order from the monarch granting a title – to create a new dukedom of Edinburgh.
If gone ahead with, this move would be a touching and lasting connection between the late Queen and her much-loved daughter-in-law, Sophie.
At a service for her mother-in-law near Balmoral the Countess of Wessex was seen teary-eyed while kneeling to admire tributes – showing the depth of their relationship which had progressed to the point where the she was said to be treated as a ‘second daughter’ by the Queen.
The Queen cared for Sophie in 2005 after her mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, 77, died from stomach cancer in 2005.
As Prince Edward’s and Sophie’s house, Bagshot Park, is only a short trip from Windsor it meant the Queen’s youngest son and his family to regularly visit.
Walking their dogs together was a favourite past-time of the pair. They also shared a love of military history, spending hours poring over ancient documents in the Royal Archives at Windsor, where Sophie and her mother-in-law indulged in their shared hobby, researching military history.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday in Edinburgh
Sophie (left) has also become a source of advice for the new Princess of Wales (right), who sees that Sophie admires the way she is balances her royal duties with motherhood
Even if she was unable to see the Queen in person – the Countess of Wessex would always make sure to call ‘mama’ every day – and she was the first royal to speak about Prince Philip’s death.
Along with the Kate, the Princess of Wales, and Princess Anne Sophie is just one of few female senior royals who will be guiding the Crown into its next era.
The PR guru from Oxford has won plaudits for her choice of work on preventable blindness and the issue of sexual violence in war, the Daily Mail reported on Monday.
She has also become a source of advice for the new Princess of Wales, who sees that Sophie admires the way she is balances her royal duties with motherhood.
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