REBECCA ENGLISH: Behind the scenes of the sister squad ‘holding up the ceiling’ of the Royal Family: How Sophie will become ‘Kate’s Anne’ when she eventually becomes Queen as formidable female voices increasingly make their mark

The news that Queen Camilla and the Princess Royal are “holding up the ceiling” (as one insider described it to me this week) during the current family health crisis comes as no surprise to anyone in royal circles.

Because the King has long been surrounded by a team of strong, loyal and formidable female figures, both in front of and behind the scenes.

And their influence will continue to shape both His Majesty’s Government and the institution’s ability to survive in the difficult decades ahead.

Their presence is especially important given the towering legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, whose death means we’re unlikely to see another female monarch for another three generations.

The King’s long-standing admiration for an iron fist in a velvet glove can almost certainly be traced back to his adored grandmother, the late Queen Mother.

It was not without reason that she was called ‘the steel marshmallow’ (a name that many believe the Princess of Wales more than inherited).

Emotionally crucified by the frequent absences of his own parents due to the weight of expectation and duty on their shoulders, young Charles was drawn to his grandmother, of whom he said as she died, “To me she meant everything.” I adored her.’

A former aide who worked closely with the king for decades is adamant her influence had a lasting effect on the man he became.

“The king is not afraid of powerful women, although he sometimes is,” they say, laughing.

“What’s interesting, though, is that he’s not promoting it. He doesn’t care where the best talent comes from, as long as they are as passionate about the things that matter as he is.

A well-placed source said this week that they firmly believe Sophie will become ‘Kate’s Anne’ when she eventually becomes queen

“He has always liked a diverse group of voices around the table.”

At the head of that table is undoubtedly his wife, Queen Camilla, who “can do more with half a raised eyebrow than many courtiers could ever hope to do,” according to an insider.

Another source adds that Her Majesty takes a “very common sense” approach to the affairs of the monarchy and has developed a good instinct for what is important – as her “keep calm and carry on” approach to royal duties has shown this week.

“She’s also very good at cooling down royal eyebrows, and because she still has one foot in the real world thanks to her family, she can bring a welcome sense of perspective,” they continue.

Luckily, as I revealed in today’s Daily Mail, Princess Anne shows no signs of slowing down either.

Anne has just appointed five new ‘Extra Ladies in Waiting’ and a new private secretary to cope with her still admirable workload of over 400 assignments a year at the age of 73.

In fact, she has just appointed five new ‘Extra Ladies in Waiting’ and a new private secretary with military experience to handle her still admirable workload of more than 400 assignments per year at the age of 73.

“She will always stand shoulder to shoulder with her brother and never gets drawn into drama. She is quite formidable as a person, but also just downright brilliant,” says someone who knows her well.

Because the two youngest working women in the family, the Princess of Wales, 42, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, have also formed a particularly dynamic duo in recent years (a well-placed source told me this week that they firmly believe that Sophie will do the same). becoming ‘Kate’s Anne’ when she eventually becomes queen).

It is worth noting that in recent years the princess has become increasingly confident in using her voice and expressing an opinion on the family’s direction of travel.

According to some sources, it was Kate who urged the palace to remain steadfast in issuing their robust ‘memories may vary’ statement following Harry and Meghan’s infamous Oprah interview, arguing that history would judge the family based on what they were willing to accept as truth. .

She is, say those who know her, ‘genuinely lovely – and also subtly steely’. Not a bad combination, you might think.

The Queen’s office is awash with female talent and is headed by her private secretary, mother-of-two Sophie Densham, who has worked for Camilla for more than 15 years.

And it’s not just ‘front of house’ where the Windsor women are making their mark.

The sister team is also fully present behind the scenes.

The Queen’s office is awash with female talent and is headed by her private secretary, mother-of-two Sophie Densham, who has worked for Camilla for more than fifteen years, assisted by her beloved deputy, Belinda Kim.

There is also her coterie of Queen’s Companions – replacing the more traditional ladies-in-waiting – all close friends and fellow countrymen whose company the King also greatly enjoys.

That’s not to say more can’t be done to promote strong female – and diverse – voices within the Royal Household.

While his former operation at Clarence House, then Prince of Wales, was “quite egalitarian” with a near-equal gender ratio, the same cannot be said of Buckingham Palace, according to one aide.

Not one of the four oldest and oldest roles there (the Lord Chamberlain, Master of the Household, Private Secretary and Keeper of the Privy Purse) has ever been held by a woman, a glaring omission in this day and age.

One of the most senior female figures in King Charles’ court is the director of community engagement, Eva Omaghomi

The good news, however, is that there is a wealth of brilliant women in positions of power and authority who are on their way to the top.

One of the most senior female figures in King Charles’ court is the director of community engagement, Eva Omaghomi.

In fact, she is so highly regarded by him that her new role was created especially for her and can often be seen traveling by his side on official assignments.

With a master’s degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies, the well-connected Ms Omaghomi, who is of British Nigerian, Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean descent, is in charge of all the king’s grassroots work.

She has a keen eye for the issues that matter and an even greater interest in how Charles can best make a difference for the most marginalized in society.

The King also relies on a trusted coterie of impressive female ‘sounding boards’, including Dame Martina Milburn, his former CEO at The Prince’s Trust, who continues to work with the sovereign on issues such as youth violence and food waste.

Elizabeth Buchanan, his former rural affairs adviser, is apparently still very much in evidence, as are Anglo-American businesswoman Dame Amelia Fawcett and green business guru Polly Courtice.

Dame Julia Cleverdon (both clever by name and nature) is another trusted sounding board, especially when it comes to efforts to support British business, as is Baroness Louise Casey – who recently had a scathing take on the Metropolitan Police.

Although we may have the first king on the throne in seventy years, Buckingham Palace continues to exhibit a formidably feminine touch, it seems.

And few would argue that this isn’t a better place.