Kate Middleton 'frequently turns' to royal 'secret weapon' who's more like a sister

The royal family has a “secret weapon” that Kate Middleton will “frequently turn to” during her cancer treatment, a royal expert has claimed.

Since they married in 1999, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's popularity has continued to rise. Their wedding was a far cry from the grand royal nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, opting for a more low-key celebration. This approach was reflected in their personal lives and relationships.

As they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, Edward and Sophie, now the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are often hailed as two of the royal family's most crucial “secret weapons.” Edward, 60, married Sophie Rhys-Jones, 59, in an intimate ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor on June 19, 1999, and their bond has only grown stronger since.

Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond detailed the Duchess's charm and down-to-earth character, which she says is the key to her success. “Sophie is a natural and humble woman – clearly still very much in love with her husband – and a woman who has grown into her role without fuss or fanfare,” Jennie revealed.

And Sophie's kindness extends beyond her immediate family, with reports suggesting she offered support to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle during crucial moments of their royal trip.

“Sophie became one of the most beloved members of the Royal Family, forging a deep and mutually affectionate relationship with both of her in-laws, the late Queen and Prince Philip,” Jennie revealed, saying that Queen Elizabeth II even considered Sophie a “second daughter”, after Princess Anne.

“Sophie is delightfully open about her love for her husband, she is close to Catherine and has undoubtedly been a great support to her in her health crisis. Even if a 17-year age gap seems like a lot to bridge, the two women have a lot in common and became firm friends very early on. Sophie knew exactly what awaited her when she joined the family and she knew it wouldn't always be easy.

“By nature, Sophie is a kind and generous person who has always been happy to serve as a sounding board, mentor, confidante… or sometimes just another girl to share a laugh with. So I have no doubt that Sophie has been someone that Catherine has often transformed into. They have often been seen joking in public and are certainly more like sisters than an aunt and a niece by marriage. young girl about him, while Catherine perhaps because of her very important role in the film The family sometimes seems mature beyond her years.

“I am sure that Sophie and Edward would have been in close contact with William and Catherine throughout her illness, offering them moral support as well as practical help in taking on additional royal duties while she and the King recovered .”

The way they handled their marriage, as well as their conduct in later years – despite being part of one of the most renowned families in the world – played a significant role in Edward's growing popularity and Sophie, Jennie told OK!.

“Sober, discreet and as down-to-earth as you can be when you're born into the royal family. That's how Edward and Sophie are today…and that's how that they were 25 years ago on their relatively low-key wedding day in Windsor,” Jennie said.

“Perhaps part of the secret to their successful marriage was that they spent five years as a couple before getting married. And that was quite unusual at the time. Sophie had witnessed the trauma of Diana years, Charles's breakup and Diana's marriage, the Yorks' divorce, and Anne's second marriage It was probably quite brave to become another royal wife. are married, Edward and Sophie were mature enough to know that they were right to become one!

Edward and Sophie's love story began with a chance meeting on London's Capital Radio in 1987, but it wasn't until a chance meeting at a charity tennis match six years later that the sparks really flew. The prince popped the question while on vacation in 1998, leading to a big engagement announcement in January 1999.

At their nuptials, the couple opted for a casual vibe, inviting guests to an “informal” wedding ceremony where formal wear was the order of the day and hats were notably absent. However, one loyal family member completely ignored this request, rarely seen without her signature hat. The Queen Mother, then aged 98, arrived at the service wearing a large lilac feathered hat. Edward looked dapper in his morning suit, while Sophie dazzled in a dress designed by Samantha Shaw. She completed her wedding ensemble with the Anthemion tiara, which incorporated several of Queen Elizabeth II's jewels.

Today, the couple embody duty and dedication, juggling their roles as parents to Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16. However, they have had their share of nerve-wracking moments over the years. During her 36th week of pregnancy with Lady Louise, a year after she was flown to hospital due to an ectopic pregnancy, Sophie experienced severe internal pain. She was admitted to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, where doctors discovered she was seriously ill due to blood loss and carried out an emergency caesarean section.

At birth, Lady Louise weighed just 4lb 9oz and spent two weeks in a specialist neonatal unit at St George's Hospital, southwest London. As Sophie was too ill to be moved to her newborn daughter, mother and child were separated during those crucial first days.

The couple's bond was tested by the death of Sophie's beloved mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, in 2005, as well as the recent losses of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. However, their love and support for each other helped them overcome their grief, making their relationship even stronger.

The warmth that King Charles feels towards Sophie is evident as Jennie explains that it is Sophie's discreet nature that has made her such an important part of the family.

Jennie added: “She is considered a safe pair of hands when carrying out her royal commitments, whether with the rest of the family or on her own. She doesn't complain, she doesn't demand, she content to support the king when asked, and pursuing his interests the rest of the time She often does so under the radar, expecting no special treatment and is now an integral part of the working royal family.

When the Duchess is not carrying out ceremonial duties, her main areas of charitable interest include supporting young people with disabilities, eradicating avoidable blindness, agriculture, fashion and preventing sexual violence in areas of conflict.

Sophie has completed solo tours to countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and recently Ukraine, demonstrating her commitment to global issues.

Far from the public eye, Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, lead a quiet life at Bagshot Park in Surrey with their children and three dogs: Teal the labrador, Mole the cocker spaniel and Teasel, a labrador puppy.

Royal commentator Jennie spoke of the couple's strong bond, saying: “Sophie's long-standing and loyal love for her man speaks volumes. They have a very secure marriage and seem to support each other in everything. they do.”

The depth of their affection was on full display when Sophie paid a moving tribute during Edward's 60th birthday celebrations in March.

In a speech that moved Edward to tears, Sophie expressed her admiration: “Like my father-in-law, my husband never seeks compliments for himself. So when recognition came to him, it was always a complete surprise to him, which is why I'm grateful to have the opportunity, for once, to be able to celebrate and compliment him publicly.”

She said of Edward: “He is the best father, the most loving husband and he is still my best friend. So, this is my dear Edward and may I, along with all your family and so many friends and many more, wish you all the best. happiest of birthdays!”

“In many ways, Edward and Sophie have managed to be the most private of couples,” Jennie praises. “They seem like a strong, stable team but without being particularly tactile in public or showy and the strength of their marriage speaks for itself.”