In an interesting turn of royal hierarchy, Sophie Wessex has reportedly expressed a sense of relief upon her recent elevation to the title of Duchess of Edinburgh, which has liberated her from the obligation to curtsy to Meghan Markle.
This change follows her husband, Prince Edward, receiving the prestigious title on his 59th birthday, officially elevating Sophie’s royal status.
Sophie, formerly known as the Countess of Wessex, now stands at a higher rank than the Duchess of Sussex, held by Markle.
According to a royal insider, Sophie is indeed feeling “relieved” about this shift in her standing.
The source shared with the Mail on Sunday that Sophie no longer has to defer to a family member who has distanced herself from royal duties while openly criticizing the institution that Sophie has dedicated herself to support.
As Sophie enjoys her newfound status, it remains to be seen how this will affect her potential interactions with Meghan, especially with upcoming royal events on the horizon.
Notably, both duchesses recently received invitations to King Charles III’s coronation scheduled for May, thus opening a door for a possible encounter.
The Sussexes are currently deliberating whether they will undertake the 5,459-mile journey to the coronation.
Representatives for the couple have indicated that no immediate announcement regarding their decision will be forthcoming.
However, should they opt to attend, they might not receive a warm welcome from senior royals.
An insider shared with the Daily Mail that many relatives within the royal fold are not eager to engage with the Sussexes.
One family member even quipped about wishing that they could be seated in Iceland!
Prince Edward‘s elevation to the Duke of Edinburgh caught many by surprise, being a birthday gift from his elder brother, King Charles.
This title, last held by their father, the late Prince Philip, symbolizes a significant reward for Edward’s loyal service to the monarchy.
The transition from Countess to Duchess is effective immediately, as seen on the royal family’s official website.
Edward had held the title of Earl of Wessex since 1999, with his dukedom being part of a long-standing promise made during his wedding ceremony that would take effect upon Prince Philip‘s passing.
Indeed, Prince Philip was granted the title of Duke of Edinburgh upon marrying Queen Elizabeth II in 1947, maintaining his role until his death in 2021.
Now, Sophie Wessex’s elevation means she is stepping into a role of increased significance within the royal family.
Tensions between Sophie and Meghan have been rumored for some time, particularly after Meghan reportedly declined Sophie’s offer for mentorship.
Friends of Sophie claim that the new rank means she no longer feels the need to curtsey to someone who has publicly distanced herself from royal responsibilities—a situation that would naturally cause discomfort.
Interestingly, Meghan has previously touched on the subject of royal curtsying in her Netflix series, where she humorously recounted how Prince Harry reminded her of the protocol before they met the late Queen.
While it may be entertaining on screen, the tradition of curtsying is a serious matter within royal circles, as evidenced by Princess Anne‘s poignant gesture during Queen Elizabeth‘s funeral.
The shifting dynamics in the royal family continue to evolve, especially with events such as the coronation drawing near.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex contemplate their next steps, the implications of Sophie’s new title and her possible interactions with Meghan will surely attract keen attention from royal watchers everywhere.
