Meghan and Harry attended their last royal engagement as senior royals yesterday afternoon. Royal observers were keenly watching to see how the couple interacted with William and Kate after months of reported fallouts which caused the ‘Fab Four’ to disintegrate. Some critics have concluded the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge snubbed the rebellious royals by barely talking to them – others noted how Meghan and Harry seemed much more comfortable talking to Edward and Sophie.

According to Grazia, the Queen actually chose Sophie to be a “royal mentor for Meghan” a year ago – indicating why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might have found it easier to chat to the Earl and Countess of Wessex yesterday.

In April last year, royal expert Katie Nicholl wrote: “According to sources, the Queen has earmarked Sophie as a royal mentor for Meghan.

“The two spent time together at Royal Ascot last year and are understood to get along well.

“The pair share similar backgrounds, as Sophie, like Meghan, gave up a successful career (in PR) to marry into the Royal Family, so is in a position to help Meghan.”

Sophie has been standing next to Meghan on a number of royal occasions, implying they are of the same rank within the Royal Family.

The pair were on the same balcony at the Remembrance Day service in November, while Kate, the Queen and Camilla Parker Bowles stood on another platform – indicating their higher status.

Meghan and Harry were also disappointed when they were told they could not be part of the Queen’s arrival party at the Commonwealth Day service yesterday, meaning they would have to find their seats before she arrived along with Sophie and Edward.

Although Kate and William were not part of the arrival party either, in an effort to reconcile with Meghan and Harry, the Cambridges were still sat on a different row to the other two couples to indicate their rank.

Ms Nicholl also claimed the Sussexes and the Wessexes were close because they both live in Windsor.

A family friend told Grazia: “Sophie is often at Windsor taking the kids riding on the Queen’s horses and playing at the castle.

“It’s a quiet lifestyle, very much the kind Harry and Meghan want for their little one.”

Ms Nicholl pointed out that Meghan will be looking to rely on her mother and close friends as she raises her son Archie, because she will not go to local children’s centres – which means she could turn to Sophie for help too when she is in the UK.

Sophie and Meghan also sacrificed a career for the Royal Family, although the Duchess of Sussex is believed to now be pursuing a return to acting.

Both women had rocky starts to joining the Firm, too.

Sophie was recorded by a reporter from the News of the World, where she referred to the Queen as an “old dear”, while Meghan was criticised for regularly breaking royal convention by pushing for greater privacy.

DON’T MISS
Prince Harry’s shock decision showing dedication to ex Chelsy Davy [INSIGHT]
Why Meghan Markle cried at Commonwealth Day Service exposed [EXPLAINED]
Meghan Markle acting warning: Why career U-turn poses huge royal risk [REVEALED]

The two women have many overlapping interests, such as advocacy for women’s rights. Sophie is subsequently expected to resume many of Meghan’s old duties once she officially leaves the Royal Family.

Edward – who turns 56 today – was seen warmly chatting to Meghan and Harry yesterday in Westminster Abbey, as well as turning to chat to William and Kate who sat in front.

He has been heavily praised on social media for attempting to ease the tension between the two couples.

However, the rift still seemed to hang over the Cambridges and the Sussexes as they barely interacted with one another. Both Harry and William looked particularly sombre.

It’s a stark difference to February 2018, when the two couples gave their first – and last – joint interview at their previously shared platform, the first Royal Foundation forum.

Harry even addressed what it was like to work together. He said: “We have different opinions and they work really well [together].

“Working as family does have its challenges; of course it does.

“The fact that everybody is laughing shows they know exactly what’s it like… But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives.”

However, now Harry and Meghan are to be financially independent and based mainly in Canada, it is unlikely the couples will be forced to work together any time soon.

Source: Read Full Article