Do you think Sophie Wessex should ‘step up’ as a senior royal? (Image: Getty Images)
The Duchess of Edinburgh has devoted more time to royal engagements following King Charles’ cancer diagnosis – but do YOU think Sophie Wessex should be handed more Firm duties?
In recent months, the wife of Prince Edward has been spotted at high profile events, including the Sovereign’s garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The regal couple also inspected UK and French troops at a ceremony marking the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.
According to Firm sources, the King has “relied heavily” on a small band of working royals since his and the Princess of Wales’ cancer announcements. BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond highlighted how the health updates have brought the King “closer than ever” to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
She told OK!: “I think we can expect Sophie to keep up or even increase her workload as the key member of the royal family she now is. She has really come into her own in recent years and is now rightly getting the recognition she deserves.
“I think she is also much admired for carrying out overseas tours, often highlighting extremely difficult subjects such as violence against women in conflict zones, without very much attendant publicity.” Jennie continued: “I think Charles will always be grateful for the huge support and affection Sophie gave to his mother, the late Queen…who came to regard her as another daughter.”
However, the expert highlighted that Sophie still has other family members to consider, adding: “She has her 93 year old father and her children, now 20 and 16. But she seems to be devoting more and more time to high profile royal engagements.” Discussions about Edward and Sophie “stepping up” in public life have increased in recent years amid the slimmed-down monarchy, especially in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quitting their royal roles and Prince Andrew being sidelined from duties.
Often dubbed the royal’s “secret weapon”, an aide previously said of Sophie: “Since she became a working member of the family she has worked tirelessly for each and every cause she is passionately involved in.” She is patron of more than 70 charities and organisations, with interests including agriculture, fashion, supporting people with disabilities, and the prevention of avoidable blindness in developing countries.
A source told the Mirror: “Sophie’s growing popularity with the public is also evident and she will take on a larger public profile in a new-look monarchy of King Charles.” We want to know if YOU think Sophie Wessex should be handed more royal duties. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
