Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 55, and her husband Prince Edward, 55, were among senior royals to attend the Commonwealth Service in central London on Monday. Sophie is said to be the Queen’s favourite daughter-in-law and arrived ahead of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry despite the service being their last ever engagement as senior royals.

While the reason for Sophie and Edward arriving before the Sussexes has not been confirmed, it could be a show of favouritism from the Queen, 93.

Sophie is dedicated to royal duty and regularly represents the Crown abroad – last week she became the first-ever royal to pay an official visit to South Sudan where she raised awareness around women’s and girls’ rights.

The Countess and Prince Edward were seated next to Meghan and Harry during the service prompting speculation the couple is being lined up to take over from the Sussexes following their royal step down.

After Prince William and Kate, Sophie and Edward are the next youngest working royal couple and the most obvious choice to take on duties left behind by Meghan and Harry.

READ MORE

• Why Meghan Markle and Harry’s last engagement so very sad for Queen

Prince William, 37, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge are future heads of the royal family and as such were seated in the row in front of Sophie, Edward, Meghan and Harry.

The couples were captured chatting together in a sweet moment ahead of the service.

Meghan and Harry will cease to be working members of the Royal Family from March 31 and Monday’s service is expected to their last ever as senior royals.

The couple has decided to make Canada their main home as they move away from the royal bubble and the Commonwealth service will have held a special meaning for them both.

One royal commentator has revealed the deeply poignant significance Meghan and Harry’s last engagement will have heard for the Queen who thinks of the Commonwealth “like a family.”

The annual service unites representatives from each of the 54 Commonwealth countries and is something of a royal highlight.

Speaking about the significance of Monday’s service, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “The Queen compares the Commonwealth to a family and it is ironic that the Service in Westminster Abbey will almost certainly be the last time the Sussexes will appear on an official occasion with other senior royals.”

He added: “Harry and Meghan want independence, self-sufficiency, security and to keep their patronages though it is sad that Harry, an Afghanistan veteran, will not, foreseeably, be wearing uniform though his military links will be kept vacant for a year after which the recent arrangement between the Queen and the Sussexes will be re-examined.

“They are both ceasing to be Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors but keeping their posts with the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.”

DON’T MISS

Prince Harry and Craig David ‘elbow bump’ in bizarre Commonwealth [PICTURES]
Sophie Countess of Wessex wears £1850 dress at Commonwealth service [PICTURES]
Meghan Markle wears eye-catching green to last royal engagement [PICTURES]

READ MORE

• Harry and Kate heartbreak: Glimpse of ‘old Harry’ in smile at Kate

While it is not clear which royals may take up the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador roles in Meghan and Harry’s wake, there is a chance it could be Sophie and Edward.

Their prominence at the Commonwealth service is a sure sign the Queen values them as reliable members of the Firm.

The Queen often invites Sophie to sit next to her for the car journey to church when she stays at Sandringham – a sure sign of favouritism according to royal insiders.

A former royal equerry told The Sun: “If Sophie Wessex is staying at Sandringham then you can pretty much guarantee the Queen will ask her – usually last thing on a Saturday night – if she would like ‘a lift’ to the church.

“And the same happens at Balmoral. The Queen likes to be completely calm before church and she finds Sophie’s presence soothing.

“Who gets the backseat is also one of those quirky royal ways that signals who is in favour – for example, Princess Anne may be staying at the same time, but how often do you see her in the Rolls?”

Sophie and Edward joined the Queen at Sandringham when Prince Philip was receiving hospital treatment in London ahead of Christmas.

The Queen clearly feels she can rely on the couple for support during difficult moments.

Another source claimed the Queen trusts Sophie above both Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 38, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 72.

The source said: “She [Sophie] is trusted and relied on by the Queen in a way I couldn’t say applied to the Duchess of Cambridge or the Duchess of Cornwall,” says a senior royal aide.

“She is like another daughter to Her Majesty, they are that close.”

Source: Read Full Article