Princess Kate will have a significant role for her friend and fellow senior royal Duchess Sophie when the time comes for her to become Queen, according to a royal expert.
The women have much in common, having both married into the Royal Family from non-aristocratic backgrounds, and are often seen chatting and laughing together at royal events.
Currently Kate and her husband Prince William and Sophie and her husband Prince Edward are the only four working royals under the age of 70, suggesting King Charles may come to rely on them more and more.
But when William becomes King and Kate his Queen, a royal source told the Daily Mail that Sophie would become “Kate’s Anne”, referring to the Princess Royal.
Princess Anne has been named multiple times as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family who undertakes the most engagements each year.
She has also served as a valuable friend and confidante to King Charles over the years, and was heard affectionately referring to him as “old bean” in a video clip from his Coronation.
The Princess completed a staggering 457 royal engagements in 2023, however Sophie still managed an impressive 219 despite mainly operating under the radar.
She and the Duke of Edinburgh prefer to stay out of the spotlight with their two children Lady Louise, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16 at their home at Bagshot Park.
Although Prince Edward has announced he is taking a short break from royal duties until February 8, Sophie and Anne have still been working, as the King and Kate recover from surgery.
Both were discharged from hospital on Monday, with His Majesty undergoing a routine procedure for an enlarged prostate and hoping to be back on duty soon.
Kate meanwhile underwent major abdominal surgery on January 16 and will be recuperating until Easter, with William on hand at home in Windsor to look after her.
With Anne, Sophie and Queen Camilla all at the forefront of royal duty, the King will no doubt be pleased as his whole life he has been surrounded by strong women.
Speaking about his late grandmother, the Queen Mother, Charles previously said: “For me, she meant everything. I adored her.”
A former Palace aide told The Mail: “The King is not frightened of powerful women, although he occasionally pretends he is.”
