Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have not publicly shared any word on Prince Edward and Sophie’s new royal titles, as the couple now call themselves the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The new Duchess of Edinburgh would be “relieved” to no longer have to curtsey to Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle.
The former Countess of Wessex previously had a duty to defer Meghan, who as Duchess was of a higher rank.
But now that is no longer the case as she received her new title of Duchess of Edinburgh after Prince Edward was promoted to Duke of Edinburgh on Friday by King Charles III.
A friend of the couple said: “Sophie is relieved. She no longer has to curtsey to someone in the family who has not only stepped down from royal duties but has spent the past three years criticizing the institution that Sophie works so hard to support.”
Relations between the two Duchesses have reportedly been strained since Meghan dismissed Sophie as a lifelong mentor under the monarchy.
The claims about tensions between Sophie and Meghan appeared in Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, by author and friend of the Royals Gyles Brandreth. He writes that Meghan “made it clear” that she didn’t need Sophie’s help and would lean on Prince Harry instead.
Sophie was all smiles and in good spirits as she appeared at an official event in Scotland hours after the announcement from Buckingham Palace.