Duchess of Edinburgh is a ‘bridge between royal generations’ and has formed a ‘tight bond’ with William and Kate during a period of turbulence for the Royal Family, expert claims

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to have built a strong bond with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in recent months.

The past year has been particularly challenging for William and Kate, both 41, who have mourned the loss of Queen Elizabeth II and taken on new roles within the royal family – while a rift remains between the Prince of Wales and his estranged brother Prince Harry.

However, a royal expert claims the royal couple have helped manage challenges over the past year by forging a close friendship with Duchess Sophie, 57, and Prince Edward, 59.

Jennie Bond, former royal correspondent for the BBC, said: ‘Sometimes it seems strange to realize that these are two different generations of royals because they seem much closer to each other.’

She added that the couples have formed a “strong bond” during difficult times, with both Harry and Meghan leaving for the US, Prince Andrew being stripped of royal titles and the death of Queen Elizabeth.

‘Sophie in particular is a wonderfully empathetic woman. The late queen regarded her as another daughter,” Mrs Bond said OK! Magazine.

She added that the Duchess acts as a “brilliant bridge” between generations.

Mother-of-two Sophie, 57, is especially important in the lives of her nephew and niece-in-law thanks to her overall discretion – and she has been pictured on the balcony of Buckingham Palace sharing tender moments with Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis.

In June, Sophie joined William for a rare joint assignment at Battersea Power Station.

Princess Kate and Duchess Sophie are ‘important members’ of the royal family as a new generation emerges following King Charles’ ascension to heaven, Mrs Bond has claimed

She wore a printed midi dress by Erdem, accessorized with a Habsburg handbag and Prada sandals. Since Prince Edward and his wife Sophie became Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in March, they have appeared more often with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

At King Charles’ coronation, the couple sat in the front row of Westminster Abbey, next to Kate, William, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

And just two days later, the same quartet took the lead at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, where volunteers from across the country were praised.

Kate and Sophie even matched their outfits that day in blue dresses with long hems.

Ms Bond explained that the royal women were “important” members of the royal family and members of the public have welcomed Sophie into the royal fold with open arms, especially following her outpouring of grief following the deaths of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth.

Since marrying into the royal family, Sophie, like Kate, has long established her place at the center of the monarchy, as she was loved by both the late Queen and Prince Philip.

On several occasions in recent years, the couple have mirrored not only each other’s sartorial choices, but also their body language at events ranging from state functions to more informal appearances at Wimbledon or Royal Ascot.

William and Kate have reportedly ‘closed their minds’ to the possibility that a rift with Harry and Meghan could be resolved.

Sophie, who has been married to Prince Edward since 1999, is understood to have intervened on a number of occasions to ease tensions.

After Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, she reportedly visited Harry and spoke to him for about 30 minutes.

Additionally, other reports say Sophie was the first royal to visit the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage following the birth of their son Archie in 2019.

Sophie also shared a car with Meghan at the Queen’s funeral, as she followed members of the royal family on foot.