‘Emotional' to assume title once used by late Queen
She was formerly the Countess of Wessex, but became the Duchess of Edinburgh after the King handed her husband Edward, Charles' youngest brother, their late father's Duke of Edinburgh title on his 59th birthday in 2023.
This was in keeping with his parents' wishes and in recognition of Edward's commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award youth scheme.
The duchess told the paper that her change in title 'felt like quite a big moment' as the late Queen had previously held the same one.
She said: 'First of all it was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married.
'For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes [as being Duchess of Edinburgh], it felt like quite a big moment.'
'But of course being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here, it so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. But yes, we are there to support and that will continue.'
On being described as the royal family's secret weapon, Sophie said: '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.'
'I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment,' she added.
'I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive.
'I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next.'
During the visit, Sophie met mothers of victims of the genocide and delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'.
More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Christine McGuinnnes 'had fling with soap star after meeting at awards event'
Christine McGuinness is said to have enjoyed a brief fling with a soap star, as the pair seemed to have instant chemistry after meeting at a glitzy awards event Christine McGuinness reportedly had a "fun fling" with a soap star after the pair hit it off at an awards ceremony. The reality TV star and mystery soap star are believed to have partied with one another and had instant chemistry. Blackpool-born Christine, 37, has been open about her dating life since her split from husband Paddy McGuinness in 2023. While the former Real Housewives of Cheshire star had been set to appear on E4's Celebs Go Dating, she later pulled out of the show, saying she wasn't ready to date publicly. Most recently, the star has said she is scared of joining dating apps due to the fear of not knowing who would turn up if she agreed to meet with a person from an app. But it appears that she is happy to meet people naturally, including the mystery soap star. Sources have claimed that Christine and the TV star "had a fling" as well as fun together after meeting one another. The pair are reported to have partied with one another, before things between them ultimately fizzled out. "Christine was single at the time and they really enjoyed the evening of the awards bash," a source said. They went on to tell The Sun: "There was a strong chemistry between them and they shared some messages, but it never went any further after that." Christine split from former Top Gear host Paddy in 2023, after 11 years of marriage. However, the couple still live together at their home in Cheshire, for the sake of their children, but at opposite ends of the house. Speaking about dating on the BBC Situationships with Sophie and Christine podcast, she recalled her horror over the possibility of joining apps such as Tinder or Hinge. It came after the mention of "catfishing" and Sophie recalling a date with someone who was "not at all" how she had expected them to look based on the photos that had been on his profile. Christine asked: "Do you not think to like FaceTime or check that the person is who they say they are?" Sophie, who's now in a relationship, replied by saying that she would "never do it" and that she hasn't been on dating apps for years. Her co-host Christine then shared: "I would be petrified of who could turn up and who am I talking to and yeah ... no, it scares me." Sophie went on to tell her: "I think they are gonna go out of fashion. I think everyone's getting fed up." Sharing her thoughts, Christine added: "I think it should come with like ... almost like a TripAdvisor ... like a review thing. Maybe like reviews from people's exes or something." She later joked that all reviews on her, would be five stars. But Christine later said she has struggled with the concept of dating again, saying: "It's part of the problem. I mean, for me, it's something I've really struggled with is ... the idea of dating and not going well, then how do you get out of it? Cause I wouldn't want to upset somebody." Following her and Paddy's split, the TV star, who has fallen into "situationships", with the lines between friendship and a romantic bond blurring. However, she did have one date, which she says was her first ever, but it took months of her and the person communicating in order for her to feel comfortable meeting them.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
King Charles finally 'open to ending Harry feud' after peace summit but only on one condition
King Charles and Prince Harry's relationship is believed to finally be on the mend following a private peace summit held with their senior aides which is said to be a 'significant' step in reuniting the pair King Charles would be open to a royal reunion with Prince Harry if he finally scaled back on his public attacks against the Firm and stopped the "endless" interviews, according to insiders. It comes as the pair's senior aides reportedly held a secret peace summit which is said to be a "significant" step in reuniting the estranged father and son. Sources not say the "rapprochement process" could heal years of broken relations within the Royal Family but only if the Duke of Sussex stops agreeing to "endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication". However, it's believed that Harry's broken relationship with his older brother William may be harder to fix after his memoir Spare revealed the two had a physical fight over the duke's relationship with his wife Meghan Markle. The Mail on Sunday today reported talks were held at a London private members' club that champions international friendship, and whose patron is the monarch. It comes as the strongest sign yet of the agreement of both parties to resolve their bitter feud which has now spanned on over the course of five years, the Mirror reports. A royal source told the Mirror: "The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and as he has done in the past is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow such an occasion. "It's not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting their roles, but of course this is a significant moment. "Senior members of the family have in the past said to Harry that he must both stop his attacks on the family as well as giving endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication. "If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the Duke of Sussex, then there may be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "As for his relationship with his brother, that is a different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair." Both Harry and Charles' aides held discussions at a London private members' club, according to the Mail on Sunday. At least three representatives from either side were seen speaking at the royal Over-Seas League which sits just three minutes from Clarence House. It is not known which side initiated the summit. The Duke of Sussex was represented by his chief communications officer and head of his household in Montecito, California, Meredith Maines who is said said to have flown in from Los Angeles specially for the talks. Liam Maguire, head of the Sussexes' PR team in the UK, was also present. King Charles was represented by his communications secretary Tobyn Andreae. The details of the secret conversation have remained private with Ms Maines jetting back to the US as soon as the meeting ended. The monarchy has spent years dealing with the aftermath of Harry and Meghan's decision to quit the Royal Family in 2002 after the two hit out at the Firm with public attacks and left their royal duties behind. Most recently, Harry did an interview with the BBC in May and said he "would love a reconciliation" with his family but confessed that the King "won't speak to me because of this security stuff". Harry was referring to the removal of his police security detail in the UK which he branded an "old-fashioned establishment stitch-up" as he hinted that his father could have resolved the situation. In the bombshell interview, the duke even said: "I would like to get my father and brother back." However, Harry's 2023 memoir Spare was said to be the final straw for the Prince of Wales as it made many shocking accusations against not just William but also his wife Kate and the rest of the senior members of the Firm.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
Duchess of Edinburgh was ‘emotional' to assume title once used by late Queen
The Duchess of Edinburgh said it was 'emotional' to assume her new title, as it had previously been held by her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II. During a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, Sophie discussed both her work and the personal significance of becoming the Duchess of Edinburgh in an interview with the Mirror. She was formerly the Countess of Wessex, but became the Duchess of Edinburgh after the King handed her husband Edward, Charles' youngest brother, their late father's Duke of Edinburgh title on his 59th birthday in 2023. This was in keeping with his parents' wishes and in recognition of Edward's commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award youth scheme. The duchess told the paper that her change in title 'felt like quite a big moment' as the late Queen had previously held the same one. She said: 'First of all, it was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember, but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married. 'For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes [as being Duchess of Edinburgh], it felt like quite a big moment. 'But of course being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here, it so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. But yes, we are there to support and that will continue.' On being described as the royal family's secret weapon, Sophie said: '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.' 'I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment,' she added. 'I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said, admittedly, there are fewer working members of the family these days, so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. 'I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next.' During the visit, Sophie met mothers of victims of the genocide and delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995, by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War.
