Duchess Sophie once gave a sassy eight-word response when asked about stepping up as royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been making headlines recently as they’re being praised for “stepping up” and helping King Charles juggle the royal workload, following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
The royal couple are set to represent the monarch today for a key high-profile event taking place at Buckingham Palace.
Today (April 8) marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale – the historic diplomatic agreement between Britain and France which laid the groundwork for their collaboration in both world wars – and a landmark Changing of the Guard is set to take place this morning on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London.
France will become the first non-Commonwealth country to take part in the traditional ceremony as 32 members of the Gendarmerie’s Garde Republicaine and 40 Guardsmen from F Company Scots Guards will parade together.
The King will not be attending the high-profile event but will be represented by Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, who will be accompanied by the UK Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, French Chief of the Army Staff, General Pierre Schill and the French Ambassador to the UK, Hélène Duchêne.
But back in 2021, Sophie – who has been a working royal for 25 years now – gave out quite a sassy response after being asked about the prospect of “stepping up”, following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from the Royal Family and Prince Andrew stepping down from his royal duties.
She told the Telegraph: “What did people think we were doing beforehand?”
The Edinburghs married in June 1999 and have since welcomed two children together, Lady Louise, 20, and James, the Earl of Wessex, 16.
Sophie’s pivotal role within the Royal Family has been even more prominent as she has been providing vital support to the monarchy, particularly in recent years.
Many have labelled the royal as the Firm’s “secret weapon” due to the public’s affection for her.
As well as Charles, the duchess was also believed to be very close to the late Queen Elizabeth, whom she once referred to by a deeply personal nickname, ‘mama’, in a speech.
