Just as Catherine, the Duchess of Edinburgh, came from a non-royal background before marrying Prince Edward in 1999. In 2024, when the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis to the world and underwent treatment for her illness, Sophie was said to have been a “tower of strength” for her during the challenging time.
Now, a royal expert has claimed that the Duchess, who will celebrate her 61st birthday on January 20, will give a major boost to the Princess when she becomes Queen upon Prince William’s ascension to the throne.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond told OK! Magazine: “They have a lot in common, and I’m sure that Sophie was an invaluable mentor for the princess as she learned about royal ways of life.
“I think they’re now much more like friends than aunt and niece, and the two of them have established a very solid friendship which will serve our future Queen well in years to come.”
On how Sophie supported Catherine, who is now in remission, when she was first diagnosed with cancer, Ms Bond said: “I’m sure it’s been a comfort for the princess to know that Sophie was on hand during the last difficult couple of years.
“After all, Sophie had her own serious health problems with an ectopic pregnancy and then a very difficult birth.”
“Life has thrown these two women together quite randomly, and landed them on what must have seemed like an alien planet at first.
“The rest of us can only imagine what it must be like to find yourself suddenly inside palace walls.”
Catherine also celebrated her 44th birthday non too long ago, on January 19.
To mark the day, she released the final instalment of her Mother Nature series, Winter, where she reflected on her personal journey of healing after her health battle.
The princess said in the video: “Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration.”