Duchess Sophie on 'emotional' toll of taking on royal title issued to her by King Charles
The late queen previously held the Duchess of Edinburgh title
Duchess Sophie once spoke candidly about the emotional significance of being given the title of Duchess of Edinburgh, once held by her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II, by King Charles.
The royal, who turns 61 on January 20, was previously known as the Countess of Wessex. She admitted that taking on the historic Duchess of Edinburgh title came with deep personal meaning.
“It was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes,” Sophie told The Mirror last year. “It felt like quite a big moment.”
Duchess Sophie opens up about taking Queen Elizabeth II’s former title
Sophie reflected on the moment she officially became the Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023. It came after her husband, Prince Edward, was granted the Duke of Edinburgh title.
Queen Elizabeth II previously held the same title from 1947 to 1952, before becoming monarch.
“Not as many of the population alive today will remember,” she explained. “But the queen was the Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married.”
Sophie admitted with a smile that she “quite liked” her former title of Countess of Wessex. However, she acknowledged the significance of the new one.
She added that her and Edward’s roles remain focused on “supporting the king,” which allows them to operate outside the spotlight and take on missions that reflect their own interests.
Often dubbed the royal family’s “secret weapon” by press and royal commentators for her tireless charity work and quiet influence, Sophie reacted to the label.
She admitted: “I like to fly under the radar. It’s all very well being a secret weapon. But if no one knows, maybe it’s too secret.”
She added with a laugh that while she appreciates the sentiment, the shrinking number of working royals means she’s becoming “less secretive”.
Duchess Sophie visits Bosnia
Sophie’s remarks came during a three-day visit to Bosnia, where she commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, which saw the killing of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in 1995 during the Bosnian War.
As part of her trip, Sophie delivered a speech on behalf of King Charles at the Srebrenica Memorial Centre.
She said: “Three decades on, it is ever more important to remember all those who suffered, and to redouble our efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable future for all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
She also met with survivors and grieving mothers of Srebrenica. The duchess laid flowers at the memorial cemetery and listened to their stories.
Her work forms part of a wider effort to support women affected by conflict. Over the past few years, Sophie has visited regions like Iraq, Chad, and Ukraine, advocating for survivors of sexual violence and supporting peacebuilding efforts.
“It can take its toll on emotions, that’s for sure,” she admitted.
But Sophie said her encounters with women on the ground only strengthen her determination: “I have absolute faith in the women of the world. It’s so often the women on the ground who are the ones that are starting [to] make the difference.”
Read more: Duchess Sophie visits Air Ambulance service that ‘saved her life’
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