Sophie Wessex makes rare comment about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leaving the royal family

Sophie, Countess of Wessex has given a rare interview, where she gave her opinion on why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the royal family.

Sophie Wessex has given a rare interview and lifted the lid on why Meghan Markle may have found it a struggle in the royal family.

The Countess, 55, reflected on her own challenges after getting engaged to Prince Edward, 56, and said Meghan didn’t have long to “adjust” to life under the royal spotlight.

Speaking to the Sunday Times magazine, Sophie said: “Remember I’d had five years to adjust.”

She added: “And for our six-month engagement I was even staying in Buckingham Palace. Not that you necessarily know how it will pan out.”

Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex at Royal Ascot Day 1 in 2018. Picture: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Mum-of-two Sophie enjoyed a long courtship with the Queen’s youngest son, before they tied the knot in 1999.

Meanwhile, former Suits actress Meghan, 38, had a whirlwind romance with Prince Harry, and the pair walked down the aisle in 2018 – just two years after their first date.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their first child, Archie, in May 2019, but announced they would be stepping back as senior royals earlier this year.

This followed Meghan giving an emotional interview as part of the ITV documentary, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey saying she was finding royal life a “struggle”.

Sophie, who is mum to 16-year-old Lady Louise Windsor and son James, Viscount Severn, 12, live just ten miles from Meghan and Harry’s Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and their children Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP
It was thought Sophie had been a confidante to the duchess and was on hand to help her adjust to royal life.

She confirmed: “We all try to help any new member of the family.”

Speaking of the couple relocating to LA, Sophie said: “I just hope they will be happy.”

Sophie is the daughter of a secretary and a sales director for a tyre company, and met Prince Edward when she was working at Capital Radio.

The Countess is close to Kate Middleton, 38, and the Queen, and showed her support for the duchess’ Hold Still photography project by submitting a photo last week.

Sophie with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, whom she shares a close bond with. Picture: Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/Getty Images
The initiative was launched to capture the “spirit of the nation” during the coronavirus outbreak and Sophie’s image showed a fellow volunteer organising food deliveries for NHS workers at a Surrey mosque.