Reports suggest that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, feels a sense of ease now that she no longer has to follow the previous royal protocol of curtseying to Meghan Markle during official events.

A shift in royal hierarchy

Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, became the Duchess of Edinburgh in March 2023, a title previously held by Queen Elizabeth II and other notable royals in history. Her elevation in rank followed Edward’s appointment as the Duke of Edinburgh, a title once carried by their father, Prince Philip.

Before this change, Sophie was known as the Countess of Wessex and, according to royal protocol, was expected to curtsey to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who at the time held a higher position in the order of precedence. With her new title, Sophie’s status now outranks Meghan’s, removing the need for the formal gesture.

Sources cited by Hello! Magazine claim Sophie is quietly glad about the change, given Meghan and Prince Harry’s decision to step away from royal duties and their subsequent public criticism of the institution.

Life after titles

Meghan and Harry moved to Southern California in 2020, where they are raising their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The couple has pursued various projects, including a Netflix docuseries, Harry’s memoir Spare, and Meghan’s recently launched lifestyle brand.

Meanwhile, Sophie has remained an active working royal for over two decades. She is patron of more than 70 charities and continues to represent the royal family on significant occasions. In the past year, she became the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion and later traveled to Chad to meet refugees displaced by conflict in Sudan.

Despite often working away from the spotlight, Sophie has acknowledged her increasing public role, saying there are fewer senior royals today and her presence is felt more than before. Known for her dedication and discreet approach, she has earned a reputation as one of the royal family’s most reliable members.