The Countess of Wessex is tipped to get a host of the Queen’s most-valued royal patronages as acknowledgement for being her ‘confidante.’ The Royal, who had a close bond with the late monarch, referred to her as ‘Mama.’
Sophie, 57, works tirelessly as patron of more than 70 charities and organisations and has been praised for her dedication to duty within the royal family.
Royal sources told the Mirror that she could take over patronages including the Women’s Institute and Dog’s Trust.
One said: ‘The Queen and the countess had a fantastically warm and joyful relationship.
‘Her Majesty admired Sophie’s quiet sense of duty, her strong work ethic and the way she balanced her public and family lives. They also shared many of the same interests.’
The source added that the Queen’s decision to pass the patronages on to Sophie is a reflection of their bond.
And they said that Sophie’s popularity with the public has become clear. It is likely that under the reign of King Charles she will take on a larger public profile.
In the midst of the media attention attracted by Harry and Meghan, the source claimed that Sophie’s common sense was ‘welcomed’ by the Queen.
The source also said that the Countess of Wessex could see that the royal revelations made the Queen upset and that she had become angry about them herself.
However, the source said that Sophie is kind and was unsurprised to see Meghan in the same car with her this week as they mourned Her Majesty’s death.
Sophie, who has been visibly emotional in the week after losing her beloved ‘mama’, spoke to the Queen every day.
When her children Lady Louise and James Viscount Severn were young, they had visits from their grandmother who watched CBeebies with them.
The Countess of Wessex more recently went on Saturday afternoon dog walks with the Queen or watched films with her.
And they often spent time in the Royal Archives at Windsor studying old historical documents together.
Sophie is also in the running to get the title of the Duchess of Edinburgh which would give her a front-and-centre role as one of a reduced number of working royals, as King Charles begins to slim down the monarchy.
The final say on rests with the King, the current Duke of Edinburgh after inheriting the role from Prince Philip, on whether he wishes to grant his youngest brother the title.
Prince Philip had said he wanted his youngest son to take on the title when it was the right time and his oldest son, then Prince Charles, was thought to have agreed.
However, some believed he had come round to changing his mind on the matter after the death of his father – but more recently experts believe Prince Edward will gain the Duke of Edinburgh title, the Telegraph reports.
For the title to change hands the king would need to write letters patent – an order from the monarch granting a title – to create a new dukedom of Edinburgh.
If gone ahead with, this move would be a touching and lasting connection between the late Queen and her much-loved daughter-in-law, Sophie.
Sophie, who lives at Bagshot Park with her family, today spent time at St Ann’s Square in Manchester with her husband Prince Edward.
They looked at floral tributes left in memory of the Queen and lit candles in the cathedral to honour her memory.
Sophie was pictured hugging a young boy called Josh who was sporting a Union Jack baseball cap, clutching flowers and a teddy dressed as a soldier.
She laid the flowers for him in the square after she gave him a hug and was later seen giving him a cuddle again before she left.
Josh was delighted by the hug and his mother Sue was equally happy to have met Sophie.
She described Sophie as warm and wonderful and said that she gave everyone a hug and had time for them.
A fellow member of the crowd who met the royals yesterday said that the Countess of Wessex was genuine and approachable.
The Countess of Wessex also shared a close bond with Prince Philip.
After his death, she had spent time with mourners at Windsor Castle, reassuring them.
She told them about his final moments, explaining that his death was peaceful and gentle.