As Princess Kate has made her return to royal duties after completing her cancer treatment, she has found comfort and reliability in Duchess Sophie, as their sisterly relationship continues to grow stronger

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has reflected on the relationship between Kate and Sophie, and what it means for the royal family at large(Image: PA)

As Princess Kate has made her triumphant return to select royal duties since announcing her cancer is now in remission, she has found comfort in one key royal player: Duchess Sophie.

The pair have often been seen sharing laughs and conversing during royal engagements, with their friendship only growing stronger over the years.

Kate has found solace in Sophie’s friendship at royal events in years past, with the dynamic duo even occasionally dressing in complimenting outfits when stepping out together. Sophie and Kate were seen looking dazzling at Garter Day on Monday, wearing matching pastel ensembles, as they reminded royal onlookers of their tight-knit bond.

Kate giggles with Sophie and Princess Alexandra (Image: PA)

The sisterly friendship between Kate and Sophie stems back to when Kate first joined the royal family in the late 2000s with her marriage to Prince William, and was fostered by the fact that both women were seen as a safe pair of hands to represent the royal family by the late Queen Elizabeth.

The two women have much in common – not least they were both from non-royal families and held down normal jobs before marrying into the Firm.

Sophie has also brought up her now-grown-up children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, the Earl of Wessex, while juggling full-time royal duties – something that Kate is also now grappling with as she raises Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

And former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror: “There seems to be a real friendship between Sophie and Catherine. It’s hard to think of them as aunt and niece. They seem much more like sisters or cousins.”

The two women were always seen as a safe pair of hands by the late Queen Elizabeth, who trusted them to represent the royal family(Image: Getty Images)

“I think Sophie has been able to offer Catherine a huge amount of advice over the years – not just about how to fit into this very elite family, but also about how to juggle a hectic working life with bringing up children.

“And I suspect that Sophie has been a great comfort to Catherine (and indeed to William) during the past very difficult 18 months. Sophie went through some alarming health scares during childbirth and would have been a shoulder to cry on if Catherine felt the need.

“When you join the royal family, it must be rather like subscribing to a secret society. There are so few people you can trust, so few friends you can confidently confide in. I’m sure Catherine has always felt that Sophie is a safe pair of hands and someone she can easily trust – and visa versa.”

Today marks a special day for Sophie as it is her and Prince Edward’s wedding anniversary, with the pair marking 26 years of marriage. Unlike the late Queen’s other children, Edward is the only one not to have divorced.

Tomorrow marks Prince Edward and Sophie’s 26th wedding anniversary(Image: PA)

And Jennie believes there is one major key that contributes to their successful marriage. She explained: “I think they have said it themselves. They are best friends. In Sophie’s own words, delivered in a tearful tribute to her husband for his 60th birthday, she called him ‘the best of fathers the most loving of husbands and still my best friend’.

“Edward has described his wife as his rock and said he was ‘incredibly lucky to have found Sophie’. To be perfectly frank I used to think Edward was slightly pompous. But I was wrong. I’ve met him a few times over the years and watched him at work. He’s actually very engaging, almost relentlessly jolly – and throws himself into every engagement: asking numerous questions and chatting quite freely with the crowds.”

With the slimmed-down monarchy looking even slimmer of late, especially since the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan, Edward and Sophie have been described as filling the gap. It is said that the King regards both of them as key players, with them also tipped to play a huge role when William becomes King.

Former royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes Kate and Sophie are “more like sisters or cousins” than aunt and niece (Image: Jason Dawson/JASONPIX)
And Jennie said: “Sophie is a diamond. Unpretentious, down to earth – often does her own make-up and even drives herself to her engagements. She’s the easiest person in the world to chat with and doesn’t seem bothered about attracting headlines. Sometimes her visits aren’t even flagged up to the press.
“Recently, though, as they assumed their very senior positions as Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, we have learned more about their work and I think they’re getting some of the recognition they deserve.

“Like other members of the royal family, they’re not fussed about having publicity about themselves: what they want is publicity about the causes and charities they are supporting.

“They, in turn, will continue to play an important role in supporting King Charles, and then King William. And, for the next decade or two at least, I think we shall be seeing more and more of Edward and Sophie.”