Breaking News: Sophie’s ‘relief’ over Meghan Markle’s royal exit as she’s tipped for bigger role….See More

The Duchess of Edinburgh, who was born Sophie Rhys-Jones, was previously behind Meghan Markle in the royal pecking order

Duchess Sophie was relieved at no longer having to curtsy to Meghan Markle after the latter stepped back from Royal duties and moved stateside, insiders have revealed. The Duchess of Edinburgh, who celebrates her 60th birthday today, was previously known as the Countess of Wessex before her husband, Prince Edward, received the Duke of Edinburgh title on March 10, 2023, following King Charles’s rise to the throne.

This change in titles meant that Sophie, whose countess rank was lower than Meghan’s duchess status, was once required to show the traditional sign of respect. However, that changed after Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure from their senior Royal roles in early 2020.

A source previously told the Mail on Sunday: “Sophie is relieved. She no longer has to curtsy to someone in the family who has not only left Royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support.”

Another source told the Sunday Times the difficulties Sophie faced in gaining recognition within the Royal Family, saying: “Sophie and Edward were overshadowed because bigger stars in the family came along, and I think at times she did mind that.”

They said Sophie had a practical approach, adding: “But she was always pragmatic about their place in the hierarchy, unlike some others in the family.”

It has also been suggested that the Prince of Wales has significant plans for Sophie when he ascends the throne. An insider revealed: “They [the Waleses and the Edinburghs] get on very well,” reports

They also expressed their belief that Prince William, as King William V, would be “eager for his aunt and uncle to play a more prominent role in public life”.

The Countess has often been referred to as the Royal Family’s “secret weapon”, with her and Prince Edward’s popularity on the rise.

Sources have also claimed that Sophie has become a close confidante of Kate, the Princess of Wales, with the pair sharing a “sisterly bond” because they have both experienced health issues.

Sophie, who had a close bond with the late Queen Elizabeth II, undertook 257 official engagements last year, while her husband completed an impressive 293.