Today, Sophie is one of the most trusted and resourceful members of the Royal Family and she has taken on evermore important duties since King Charles III’s ascension to the throne.
Just this month, the Duchess of Edinburgh represented the Crown on an official visit to Bosnia to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.
But long before she was well versed in the complex rules associated with royal etiquette, Sophie faced the daunting task of getting to know the family.
Writing in his new biography of the Duchess’s life – titled Sophie – royal author Sean Smith has lifted the curtain on her first visit to Windsor Castle while she was dating Prince Edward.
Here he revealed the Queen’s alleged first impression of Sophie, remarking that ‘you wouldn’t notice her in the crowd’. And while quite a stinging comment, it was far more complimentary than first meets the eye.
To prepare for the visit, Edward’s valet Brian gave an ‘anxious’ Sophie advice so she could avoid any of the common faux pas visitors encounter when meeting the royals for the first time.
Smith highlighted one particularly common mistake people make at the end of a meal when diners receive a ‘crystal bowl of water’ for cleaning their hands with a knife to cut up fruit on offer.
‘Those guests not in the know would spend a number of agonising minutes, red-faced, chasing around bits of peaches and kiwi fruits that they had mistakenly placed in the water,’ Smith said.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in the 1990s. Long before she was well versed in the complex rules associated with royal etiquette, Sophie faced the daunting task of getting to know the family
Sophie with Prince Edward in 1994. Sophie first met the Queen with a brief handshake and a curtsy
Queen Elizabeth at Edward and Sophie’s wedding in 1999. Although the Queen’s alleged first impression of Sophie – that ‘you wouldn’t notice her in the crowd’ – might sound stinging the remark was far more complimentary than first meets the eye
Suitably prepared for her visit, Sophie arrived at the palace not by chauffeur but in her ‘old’ Fiat Panda.
Sophie was then immediately thrown into the deep end when she joined Queen Elizabeth II for lunch.
Although she had been told the meal would take place in a large dining room with minimal contact with the Queen, that proved to be a ‘white lie’ from Brian.
Smith said: ‘The room was tiny and the Queen was certainly not a speck at the other end of the table.
‘The big moment arrived. Edward introduced Sophie to the Queen and the brief handshake and curtsy were over in the blink of an eye: all that practising at home had been worth it.’
Once the meal was over, and any faux pas had been avoided, Smith likened the whole experience to a visit to the dentist.
For her first visit to Windsor. Sophie arrived at the palace not by chauffeur but in her ‘old’ Fiat Panda
Sophie with the Queen on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1995
Writing in his new biography royal author Sean Smith has lifted the curtain on the Duchess’s first visit to Windsor Castle while she was dating Prince Edward
‘Never as bad as you think it is going to be and something you feel pleased with yourself for having done,’ he said.
Sophie was however then gifted the opportunity to see her future mother-in-law in a much more relaxed environment with the Queen’s young grandchildren Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
‘For the first time she chatted politely, if a little stiffly, with Edward’s mother. The ice was broken,’ said Smith.
Smith then claims that Elizabeth was heard describing the future Duchess as someone ‘you wouldn’t notice’ in a crowd.
As unflattering, borderline cruel, as that might sound it was a compliment as the most recent additions to the royal family – Diana and Sarah Ferguson – were, according to Smith, ‘tabloid gifts that kept on giving’.
‘It was greatly to Sophie’s advantage to maintain a low profile.
‘She would have to face intense media scrutiny in the future, but for the moment she could quietly establish herself as a dependable presence.’
Indeed, the media soon noticed the blossoming romance between the pair which led to speculation that another royal wedding could be on the way.
Sophie and the Queen riding together in 1998. While Elizabeth’s first impression is borderline cruel, it was a compliment as the most recent additions to the royal family – Diana and Sarah Ferguson – were, according to Smith, ‘tabloid gifts that kept on giving’
Sophie pictured in 1991. She would marry Prince Edward in 1999 and officially join the Royal Family
To quash the rumours, Edward wrote to several newspaper editors in 1993 denying any wedding plans and asked for privacy.
The prince would go on to propose to Sophie in 1998 and they got married in St George’s Chapel in Windsor in June 1999.
In her years as a working royal Sophie reportedly became the Queen’s ‘favourite daughter-in-law’ and she was the monarch’s ‘rock’ following the death of Prince Philip in 2021.
When the Queen passed away, Sophie was heartbroken, with her and Edward describing their loss for the woman they both called ‘Mama’ as leaving ‘an unimaginable void in all our lives’.
Sophie has played a key role in holding the monarchy together amidst family feuds, the Duke of York’s scandals, and the cancer diagnoses of the King and the Princess of Wales.
A patron of more than 70 charities and organisations, Sophie is especially recognised for her advocacy on issues including sexual violence in war-torn countries and sight loss awareness.
Her passion for promoting eye health stems from her daughter, who was born prematurely and developed esotropia – a condition that causes one or both eyes to turn inwards and make someone appear cross-eyed.
Known for her personable nature, Sophie has also made a name for herself in the fashion world, showcasing a notable evolution in her style.
The Duchess of Edinburgh meets mothers of victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, at the Srebrenica Memorial Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this month
Sophie reportedly became the Queen’s ‘favourite daughter-in-law’ and she was the monarch’s ‘rock’ following the death of Prince Philip in 2021
And since taking on the title of Duchess of Edinburgh in March 2023, her fashion sense has reached new heights.
Renowned for her impeccable taste, she has a penchant for bold colours, floral patterns and expertly coordinated millinery crafted by esteemed designers.
Celebrity stylist Martine Alexander has a particular fondness for Sophie’s polished style.
She told MailOnline: ‘What I love about Sophie’s style is that she knows who she is. Her look is very coordinated, so you won’t see her making any daring, bold moves – which aligns with what she feels comfortable with.
‘She is confident wearing colour and with her skin tone, hair and eye colour, she can carry off the vibrancy of coral, green, blue and white. They work really well and lift her skin, giving her that natural glow.’
