THE Queen will be marking her official birthday on Saturday at Windsor Castle and it’ll be the first time celebrating without her beloved husband Prince Philip, who died in April.
But Her Majesty, 95, is said to now rely daily on her daughter-in-law Sophie Wessex, who has been a pillar of support and her “rock” during the last few months.
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Sophie, who is married to Prince Edward, is now one of the Queen’s closest family members and confidantes.
Or as one courtier puts it: “If you’re asking who is Her Majesty’s favourite child, it’s none of them, it’s her daughter-in-law.”
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe told Fabulous: “Sophie Wessex has emerged as the Queen’s unlikely ‘rock’ as the monarch adjusts to life without Prince Philip.
“Prince Edward’s wife has – according to sources – made it her personal mission to ensure Her Majesty is fully supported by the family.
“Since the Duke’s death in April, Sophie has driven the 10 miles from her Bagshot Park home to Windsor Castle every few days and most weekends to spend socially-distanced time with Her Majesty.
“And on days she can’t get there in person, the Duchess of Wessex has made a point of calling her mother-in-law at least once a day.”
Sophie told the Telegraph during lockdown these visits involved the Queen standing on a 20ft high balcony and waving down.
During the annual parade – moved from Horseguard’s Parade in London due to Covid – the Queen will be officially accompanied by her cousin the Duke of Kent.
Duncan added: “But away from the cameras, Sophie is expected to accompany the Queen throughout the day.”
The royal expert said Sophie’s friendship with the Queen stemmed from the times they would spend walking and riding in Windsor Great Park.
He added: “Like so many families during lockdown, Her Majesty was unable to see her favourite daughter-in-law, but as restrictions started to lift, Sophie was one of the few people inside her covid bubble.
“When Philip died, Sophie was an obvious choice to step up and ensure the Queen was being looked after, given she lives minutes down the road.”
Sophie and Prince Edward, who is now 13th in line to the throne, have been married since 1999 and are frequent visitors to the palace.
A source said: “Edward happened to marry someone for whom his mother has great affection. Sophie is much more than a daughter-in-law, more of a daughter.”
Edward — at 57, some 15 years younger than his oldest sibling, Charles — “is very good company, a lot more laid back than he appears in public,” he explains.
“And unlike the rest, he doesn’t ask her for anything or expect things from her.”
Sophie is viewed by the Queen as the Royal Family’s safest pair of hands and was even ‘earmarked’ as a royal mentor for Meghan Markle, when she first joined the family.
Sophie, who is mum to 17-year-old Lady Louise Windsor and son James, Viscount Severn, 13, lived just ten miles from Meghan and Harry’s Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.
In a rare interview with the Sunday Times, Sophie lifted the lid on why she thinks Meghan struggled to adjust to royal life saying the former Suits actress didn’t have long to “adjust” to the role.
Speaking of the couple relocating to LA, Sophie said: “I just hope they will be happy.”
