Why King Charles Reportedly Sees This Royal as His 'Safe Pair of Hands' Amid Mounting Royal Drama
Controversies around the Royal family are a far cry from dying down anytime soon, but there is one royal who is quietly getting all the job done.
The controversies around the Royal family at the moment are a far cry from dying down anytime soon, but amid the chaos, there is one royal who is quietly getting all the job done. From spending a week in Zambia on a five-day solo tour, focusing on issues close to their heart, to keeping their calm surrounding Earl Spencer’s new book, Swan Song, and the Sussexes’ return to the UK, this royal is definitely justifying her nickname as the 'secret weapon.' The royal in question is no one else other than Duchess Sophie.
Sophie's recent trip to Zambia included serious causes such as sight loss, gender equality and women’s rights, as well as more adventurous moments. During a camping expedition, she came face-to-face with a potentially dangerous hippopotamus, and then on a boat safari she excitedly pointed out a herd of elephants. That mix of serious royal duty and a willingness to show her personality has become something of a Sophie trademark. Hailing her composure, the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English opined that the Duchess has built a strong reputation through the charitable causes she genuinely cares about.
“Over the years Sophie has quietly set about cultivating a group of charitable patronages that she feels strongly about and, as a result, her personal passion shines through,” she says. Sophie is a passionate advocate against sexual violence, particularly its use as a weapon of war. She has also become closely involved in tackling preventable blindness, which is a cause close to her owing to her daughter Lady Louise’s childhood surgery for esotropia. English added, “I've seen her give a seven-minute off-the-cuff speech on the issue, without any notes on the subject. She was seriously impressive.”
Former royal aide Alisa Anderson-Cole also praised Sophie for putting duty first during the current royal drama. While all the drama is going on over the arrival in the UK by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the explosive publication of Earl Spencer's new book, the Duchess of Edinburgh is putting duty before self, representing the UK on a solo visit to Zambia,” she said. Anderson continued, "She is not afraid to show her fun side while promoting incredibly important issues like gender equality, education and nature. Once again, she has proved what a huge asset she is to the King and the monarchy.”
English said King Charles sees Sophie as a dependable member of the Firm. “I know the King sees Sophie very much as a safe pair of hands, and her growing closeness with the Princess of Wales will only go to strengthen the family in the future," the editor elaborated. Rebecca also compared Sophie’s approach to that of Princess Anne, calling the Duchess “the gold standard of royal duty”. Although Sophie and Prince Edward faced criticism over their early business activities, they stepped away from their commercial careers and committed themselves to royal duties.
“They took the criticism on the chin, wound down their commercial careers and devoted themselves to a lifetime of royal duties without a single complaint in public. I think most agree their approach to this change in circumstance was admirable and pretty faultless.' the expert noted.
