Meghan Markle's 'curt reaction' to having Sophie as personal mentor
The Duchess of Edinburgh is often regarded as the Royal Family's 'secret weapon' and a hard-working member of the Firm who is a safe pair of hands. But it seems it wasn't always the case.
Sophie, the wife of the late Queen's youngest son Prince Edward, has previously been honest about how it "took her a while to find her feet" when she became a full-time member of the working monarchy after leaving behind her successful career in PR. But more more than 25 years since she became a royal, she has carved out a role highlighting causes such as violence against women and sightloss.
So when it was announced that actress Meghan Markle would be marrying Sophie's nephew, Prince Harry, it seemed natural that the late Queen suggested the then Countess of Wessex could mentor the royal newcomer.
However, as claimed by Gyles Brandreth in his book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, Meghan "made it clear" she didn't need Sophie's help and would instead rely on her new husband. The Duchess of Sussex quit her acting career upon marrying Harry in 2018 and pledged to "hit the ground running" on becoming a working royal.
Author Brandreth, who is a friend of the royals, wrote: "The Queen (who, of course, had seen it all before) understood that Harry's girl might find adjusting to Royal life 'challenging to begin with' (as she put it). 'It is very jolty, but you soon get used to it' . That was Her Majesty's experience going back many years.
"To help Meghan, the Queen suggested that her daughter-in-law, Sophie Wessex, would be an ideal mentor. 'Sophie can help show you the ropes,' said the Queen. "Meghan made it clear that she did not feel she needed Sophie's help. She had Harry."
Meghan and Sophie's bond came under focus in September when they travelled together in the same car during the Queen's state funeral and her coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in 2022. Sophie, who grew up in a middle-class family and founded a PR firm before joining the Royal Family, has been compared with Meghan, as they both underwent a huge transition upon joining the family.
The former monarch also invited Sophie to several church services, and they enjoyed watching old movies together. Her late Majesty was also extremely close to Sophie's children, her youngest grandchildren - Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.
According to The Times, Sophie was the first member of the royal family to visit the Sussexes following the birth of Archie in 2019, going to the couple's Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. In a rare interview with The Sunday Times, Sophie compared her experiences to Meghan's.
Speaking to the paper, she compared Meghan and Harry's experience to hers with Edward, commenting: "Remember I'd had five years to adjust [to royal life]. And for our six-month engagement, I was even staying at Buckingham Palace. Not that you necessarily know how it will pan out."
Speaking about the Sussexes' exit from the firm, she added, "I just hope they will be happy." But possibly more pointedly, she said that the royal family does all they can to assist new members in adjusting to royal life, adding, "We all try to help any new members of the family."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Have your say on whether the Royal Family would be as popular without Kate
Princess Kate's charm and presence have become a cornerstone of the Royal Family's popularity. From recent dazzling appearances at events like the State Banquet and Trooping the Colour, her influence is clear — but would the monarchy shine as brightly without her? Would the Royal Family command the same level of public attention without Kate Middleton, we wonder. As the Princess of Wales continues her cancer recovery with remarkable candour, recent royal outings have underscored just how central her presence has become to the monarchy's modern image. From the dazzling tiara sported at the glitzy state banquet at Windsor Castle for the French state visit, to the beautiful teal number sported at Trooping the Colour - it's clear that the public's fascination with the Royal Family is deeply entwined with hers. Without Kate, many royal engagements seem to lack a certain spark. There was heaps of attention lavished on her stunning Givenchy gown at the State Banquet. How many other royals command that level of intrigue? But she's far from just a fashionista. A huge part of Kate's appeal is her refreshing candidness. While some royals can often seem rather stand-offish, the princess has a refreshing vulnerability and honesty that people really warm to. What do YOU think? Would the Royal Family be as popular without Kate? Take our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section. If you can't see the poll, click here In a refreshingly open move for a member of the Royal Family, the Princess of Wales recently revealed the holistic practice she incorporated into her cancer treatment during a candid chat about her illness with staff at patients at Colchester Hospital. Visiting the centre's new Wellbeing Garden, Kate delved into her own personal experience with cancer for the first time, revealing much about her illness and recovery. Her elegance, relatability, and knack to balance tradition with modernity have earned her a unique status - one that's arguably irreplaceable in the current royal line-up. This raises an important question: would the Royal Family be as popular, or as closely followed, without her? While other senior royals continue their duties admirably, Kate connects with the public in a way few others have managed. Whether attending state events or championing causes like early childhood development, she brings a sense of authenticity and modern grace to The Firm. The Royal Family's long-term relevance hinges on its ability to evolve and stay connected with the people. In many ways, do you think Kate has become the face of that evolution? Let us know your thoughts. Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp!
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gregg Wallace 'can't wear underwear' due to autism as he's sacked by BBC
According to the BBC, 50 more people have approached them with fresh claims about former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace, including an allegation of groping, which he strongly denies Friends of Gregg Wallace has claimed his autism is partly to blame for alleged behaviour that has seen him sacked from BBC's MasterChef, after 21 years. More specifically, the 60-year-old reportedly has 'autistic hypersensitivity', which results in him having an 'oddity of filters and boundaries'. It is claimed another effect of his autism is an exaggerated sensory experience, which means he has 'inability to wear underwear because of his autistic hypersensitivity to labels and tight clothing'. The BBC host stepped away from MasterChef back in November, after 13 people made complaints of inappropriate sexual comments against him over a 17-year period. According to BBC News, he is now facing fresh allegations from at least 50 people, who say they encountered him across a range of shows and settings. Among the claims, one MasterChef worker says she was groped by Gregg, which left her feeling "absolutely horrified" and "quite sick". Another said he pulled trousers down in front of her in a dressing room, what she described as "disgusting and predatory" behaviour. He has strongly denied these allegations. Gregg himself has claimed that being autistic has led him to misread social situations, and friends claim it stopped him from going out. A friend told The Times: 'He stopped going out with the team and stopped telling jokes because he realised he didn't know what was right and what crossed the line.' 'Gregg is guilty of bad jokes and rough humour," a source previously said. "But so many people on the show talked openly about suspecting that he had autism for years before he got his diagnosis. 'To sack him now when they were well aware of his condition is outrageous. He's going to take them to the cleaners." The new allegations come to light just days before the result of a report on separate claims made last year. It led to MasterChef's production company Banijay commissioning a report on him, which was overseen by the law firm Lewis Silkin. The former BBC star has admitted to "using inappropriate language", which he apologised for in a statement, but claims he has been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations made against me'. As part of a lengthy statement shared on his Instagram page, Gregg also hit out at his employers for doing "nothing" to investigate his disability. He claimed: "My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef. "Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over twenty years. That failure is now being quietly buried." He concluded: "I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Prince William's act of rebellion during the French state visit that everybody missed – and what it tells us about the future of the monarchy: RICHARD EDEN
When the Royal Family gathered for the final performance of Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2016, the show featured no fewer than 900 horses and stars such as Oscar-winning actress Dame , pop star and classical singer Katherine Jenkins. Two of the most eye-catching figures were, however, watching in the stands.
