Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 55, is known as the Royal Family’s secret weapon for her no-nonsense yet charismatic approach to serving the crown. Sophie is married to Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son Prince Edward, 56, and the couple joined senior royals for a rare group engagement on Tuesday.
Prince William, 38, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 38, rounded-off their whistlestop tour to thank frontline workers of across Britain with a spectacular royal finale.
The couple were joined by the Queen, Princess Anne, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Edward and Sophie as they marked the end of their Royal Train trip at Windsor Castle.
The Royal Family has not been seen out en masse since the start of the pandemic and Tuesday’s reunion was particularly poignant as they prepare to mark Christmas apart.
Daily Express royal correspondent Richard Palmer shared photos of the reunion on Twitter.
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Mr Palmer wrote: “And now the grand finale of the Royal Train tour in Windsor.
“The Queen, Charles and Camilla, Edward, Sophie and Anne join William and Kate in the castle quadrangle to thank volunteers and key workers for their efforts in the pandemic.”
Following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s step down as senior royals last March, Sophie and Edward have stepped up to fill their spot.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex are the second youngest working royal couple after Prince William and Kate which make them the most obvious replacement for Meghan and Harry.
Since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s withdrawal from royal life, Sophie has been dubbed the Royal Family’s “secret weapon” for her charm and tireless dedication to the Crown.
Touching on what makes Sophie such a hit with the Queen, royal journalist and author Robert Jobson previously told the Telegraph: “[The Countess] is probably the best example of an outsider coming into the family and learning on the job.
“She’s very much the Queen’s favourite, and you’ll notice that whenever there is a family holiday or gathering, Sophie and Edward often stay a while longer than the rest.”
Edward and Sophie live at Bagshot Park in Surrey, the royal residence was a wedding gift to them from the Queen.
