Princess Kate is ‘firm friends’ with one royal who has ‘been there from the start’

The Duchess of Edinburgh has long been seen as the royal family’s safest pair of hands – and she has a particularly close bond with the Princess of Wales

Kate Middleton has long been viewed as the Royal family’s most reliable member – even being sat next to Donald Trump at his recent UK visit.

Beyond serving as King Charles’s trusted envoy, the duchess enjoys special esteem from the Prince and Princess of Wales. Insiders indicate that when William eventually takes the crown, his Aunt Sophie will play a pivotal role in supporting him and Kate – a prospect she undoubtedly welcomes.

The two women have developed a close friendship – both sharing middle-class backgrounds before joining the Royal family and establishing meaningful positions. It comes after Princess Kate’s ‘overbearing’ 5 words to Melania Trump were revealed by a lip reader.

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Kate reportedly holds quiet respect for Sophie’s approach to raising her two children, Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and their 17 year old son James, Earl of Wessex – as she navigates parenting Royal youngsters Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, reports the Mirror.

During Royal occasions, the two women are frequently spotted sharing laughs or chatting – evident on Garter Day this year, when they beamed with pride watching their husbands participate in the historic ceremony.

Sophie doesn’t just add levity when accompanying Kate, she also provides comforting support following a “brutal” year for the Princess and her loved ones. Last November, during Remembrance Sunday, Kate made a rare appearance at the Cenotaph after completing her chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Sophie was spotted offering comfort with a gentle hand on Kate’s back. Then, at Kate’s Christmas Carol concert in December, Sophie sat next to the princess during the emotional service.

Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond remarked: “It’s sometimes hard to remember that Sophie is Catherine’s aunt by marriage, they seem more like sisters. I think they have a real mutual affection and friendship.

“Sophie has been there for Catherine from the start as a mentor and perhaps someone she can share the peculiar ups and downs of royal life with. They are two women who have come from middle-class backgrounds to assume uniquely senior roles in the life of the nation.

“I think William will be very grateful to have Edward and Sophie alongside when the time comes for him to be King. With no Harry to lean on, he will appreciate the support of his uncle and aunt, and be grateful that they are willing to bear their share of the considerable workload.”

Sophie’s recent trip to Japan, where she carried out several engagements in Tokyo and Osaka, highlights her increasingly prominent role on the international stage.

Earlier this year, she stepped in for the King to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia. Her Royal duties have also taken her to Ukraine and Iraq, where she advocates for women and supports victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

Jennie believes there’s a straightforward reason why Sophie’s international profile has been on the rise recently. She tells OK!, “Sophie is very down-to-earth – and that’s one reason why she’s so popular with the public- and with the royal family.

“She is trusted by them and has shown she can pull her weight in carrying out a steady round of royal duties – many of them without any great fanfare or fuss. She is a safe pair of hands, and she’s a very charming woman as well.”

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