Who is the favorite Royal of the Royals? When it comes to that 1,000-watt smile, there’s only one answer!
Who is the favorite Royal of the Royals? When it comes to a touch of friendly, good humor and that 1000-watt smile, there’s only one answer!
- After an inconspicuous start as a royal member, she became close to the late Queen
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The Duchess of Edinburgh was thought to be the late Queen’s favorite member of her extended family – and she even relied on watching old war movies with the monarch on weekends!
Raised in Kent by a tire company executive father and secretary mother, Sophie has distanced herself from the turmoil that followed her early days as a royal.
But it seems that other members of the family enjoy Sophie’s company just as much as Queen Elizabeth does thanks to her natural warmth and common sense.
She has stepped into her ranks and new position of seniority with natural ease.
Here, The Mail’s new Royals section looks at times when the Duchess was there to share a (loud!) laugh or comfort the rest of the family, even in the public eye…
Sophie is a winner – again! As Kate Middleton’s response to Ascot shows, she’s a hugely popular member of the royal family
King Charles looks tickled in the company of the Duchess of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot in 2022. Almost as much as Sophie!
The Princess of Wales and the Duchess couldn’t contain their laughter in a carriage at Ascot in 2017
Princess Anne also seems charmed by Sophie when they attend the Westmorland County Show in 2021
The late Queen, Princess Anne and Sophie all seemed amused as they attended the 2015 centennial annual meeting of the National Federation of Women’s Institute at the Royal Albert Hall
Even Prince William is not immune. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Edinburgh attended a private screening of Rhino Man at Battersea Power Station in June
Sophie was in full glory at the 2012 London Olympics. Prince Philip and husband Edward seem amused
The Princess of Wales turned and smiled as she shared a word with the Duchess in 2013 during the service to mark the 60th anniversary of the late Queen’s coronation
The good humor seems contagious – another warm moment with Kate and Camilla during the annual procession of members of the Order of the Garter in 2012
She’s loose again! Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and the Duchess were spotted laughing together during the Rugby Sevens at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Duchess shared a laughing moment with King Charles and Queen Camilla as she watched a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2018
Another giggle on the balcony, this time with Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II, Zara Tindall and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Ascot in 2019
Thoughtfully, for once. Prince Philip and Sophie seemed in cahoots as they smiled together as they waited for the start of the 2011 Epsom Derby
The Duchess laughs in response to the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
The late Queen and Prince Philip appeared to enjoy a show at Buckingham Palace during a children’s birthday party in 2006
Prince Harry shared a joke with Sophie as they arrived for a thanksgiving service for the Queen Mother at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in 2012
The Duchess appeared to keep Queen Camilla in high spirits at a memorial service for Lord Lichfield at Wellington Barracks
Her caring side: Sophie places a reassuring hand on Princess Anne’s back as they await the arrival of the hearse carrying the coffin of her mother, the late Queen, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in September 2022 with Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence