Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward have been married for 24 years following a low-key royal wedding in June 1999.
Royal expert Jennie Bond has spoken out about the couple’s relationship and how they have helped one another change for the better.
Speaking about Sophie accepting Edward’s proposal and offer to join the Royal Family, Jennie said she was “quite courageous to become another royal bride” after witnessing Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the Yorks’ and Princess Anne’s divorces.
Jennie believes the age at which the couple said ‘I do’ signified they were “mature enough to know that they were right for one another”.
She added: “Sophie has always been a gentle, kind creature who quietly gets on with her job, without making a fuss.
“She has remained true to herself, compassionate and discreet, and became almost like another daughter to the late Queen.”
The expert also believed Sophie “won the admiration of the late Duke of Edinburgh”, and alongside the Queen, “there was clear affection” for their son’s wife.
In terms of Edward, Jennie admitted she “used to think [he] was a bit pompous”, but his recent interactions and public engagements indicate “he has become much more comfortable in his own skin”, which may have been helped by his wife.
She cited his attendance at Buckingham Palace earlier this year for the Duke of Edinburgh award.
Jennie said Edward is “much more confident in his role” and explained how he “is such a great entertainer, especially with children”.
The expert suggested the couple “have a very secure marriage” and “support one another in everything they do.”
“They are also absolutely devoted parents to Lady Louise and James,” she told OK! magazine.
