Sophie and Edward: The New Power Couple of the Royal Family

Sophie and Prince Edward have been making headlines in recent months as they take on more prominent roles within the Royal Family.

They joined other senior members of the family at Westminster Hall on Wednesday, receiving thunderous applause for their efforts.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex have become trusted and safe hands within the Firm, as the nation mourns the loss of the late monarch.

Sophie has been particularly close to the Queen, who treated her like a second daughter.

When Princess Anne dropped to a deep curtsy as her mother's coffin was carried into St Giles Cathedral on Monday, Sophie outstretched her arm to show her support for her sister-in-law.

She and Edward live in Bagshot Park, just a short drive away from Windsor Castle, where the Queen resided for the final months of her life.

The Countess was the first member of the Royal Family to speak publicly about the death of Prince Philip, signalling that Sophie has become a trusted member of the Firm.

With the shock exit of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2020, Sophie and Edward's prominence has escalated.

They have stepped up, working alongside Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were expected to do.

It is understood that Meghan and Harry were set to play an important role under the reign of King Charles III.

However, a royal commentator has claimed that Sophie and Edward will assume those duties.

Brittany Barger, editor at Royal Central, told Express.co.uk, “We've seen Sophie and Edward take on more responsibilities and this is likely to continue under Charles as King.

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the US, it is likely that Sophie and Edward will step up to take on their roles.”

Sophie Wessex married into the Royal Family more than 20 years ago, but unlike her in-laws, Camilla and Kate, she was never made a Duchess.

That's because her husband, Edward, was bestowed the name Earl of Wessex from his mother, the Queen upon marriage.

However, the couple could now be set for changes to their Earl and Countess titles, as King Charles begins his reign and gives back his Duke of Edinburgh title.

If that happens, Edward could be handed the title, making Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, a courtesy title which was held by the Queen.

It was announced at the time of Edward and Sophie's wedding that he would one day succeed his father as the Duke of Edinburgh with the blessing of the late Prince Philip and the Queen.

Sophie once told the Telegraph of the moment she and Edward were told Philip would like them to take on the title.

She said, “We sat there slightly stunned.

He literally came straight in and said, Right.

I'd like it very much if you would consider that.”

The title of Duke of Edinburgh was previously held by Charles as he is the oldest child of Philip, but it reverted to the crown when he became king, meaning he is free to hand it out again.

However, it is not a given that Charles will automatically hand out the title to Edward and a report last year claimed the Prince of Wales might not give it to his youngest brother.

A source told the Sunday Times, “The Prince is the Duke of Edinburgh as it stands, and it is up to him what happens to the title.

It will not go to Edward.”

However, a Clarence House spokesman said at the time, “We do not comment on matters related to the accession.”

In a previous interview with the BBC, Edward noted how the final decision on the title remains with Charles.

He said, “It was fine in theory, ages ago when it was sort of a pipe dream of my father's.

And of course, it will depend on whether or not the Prince of Wales, when he becomes king, whether he'll do that, so we'll wait and see whether he'll do that.”

Sophie and Edward have proven themselves as capable and reliable members of the Royal Family.

With their increasing prominence and potential title changes, they are set to become an even more integral part of the Firm under King Charles III.