Kate Middleton’s royal title almost went to Duchess Sophie before last-minute change
Sophie became the Countess of Wessex when she married Prince Edward – but it seems she was almost given another title that was later given to the Princess of Wales
Duchess Sophie and Princess Kate (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Since marrying into the Royal Family in 1999, Duchess Sophie has cemented herself as a key player within the Firm, attending official engagements on behalf of King Charles, and sharing a close bond with both Prince William and Princess Kate.
Sophie and Kate are said to enjoy a “naughty friendship” and are often seen sharing a joke or tender moment together at royal events, while Sophie and William share their dedication and loyalty to the Firm. But despite her popularity, eyebrows were raised with the title she was awarded ahead of marrying the late Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son Prince Edward.
Duchess Sophie and Princess Kate have a close friendship(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
This is said to be because of a plan to give her a title that is now held by Kate was axed in favour of a more unusual choice. When Edward married Sophie in 1999, he was not awarded a dukedom like his older brother Prince Andrew, and instead became Earl of Wessex. This meant Sophie, who is celebrating her 61st birthday on Tuesday, became the Countess of Wessex.
However, it is believed that she did almost end up with a different title – and it was the same one the now Princess of Wales was awarded on her wedding day. According to one palace courtier, Edward was originally going to be offered the title Duke of Cambridge, which was eventually given to Prince William.
If this original plan had gone ahead, Sophie would have been the Duchess of Cambridge – the title that eventually went to Kate.
Sophie and Edward tied the knot in 1999(Image: PA)
However, the courtier explained to The Telegraph in 2010: “Prince Edward was going to be the Duke of Cambridge, but he watched the film Shakespeare in Love, which had a character called the Earl of Wessex. He liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead.”
However, in 2023, Edward and Sophie did see their titles change once more when they became the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Edward was created Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday back in March 2022 in honour of his late father Prince Philip – meaning Sophie became Duchess of Edinburgh.
Duchess Sophie has long been dubbed the Royal Family’s ‘secret weapon’ as she has travelled hundreds of miles to undertake international engagements, while supporting charitable causes that are close to her heart. The Telegraph’s Hannah Furness said of Sophie’s work ethic: “Not for nothing is Sophie regularly called the Royal Family’s “secret weapon”; the quiet “saviour” of the monarchy which has been rather lacking in active members of late through little fault of its own.”
Hannah added that the Duchess is “ready to do more” and set to take up a “more prominent” position when her nephew, Prince William, who is “fond” of her, ascends the throne after his father.
