The Duchess of Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of the most respected royals, but at the time of Princess Diana's death, she was still known simply as Sophie Rhys-Jones.
Sophie and Prince Edward had been dating seriously for several years at the time of Diana's funeral, but despite the high-profile event, Sophie was notably absent from the proceedings.
In a biography titled Sophie: Saving the Royal Family, Sean Smith claimed Sophie missed the funeral out of sensitivity to the grieving public. According to Sean, Sophie worried that her physical resemblance to Diana might have caused further distress to mourners lining the procession route.
The author wrote: "She (Sophie) had an obvious and reasonable excuse: a friend at the palace explained, 'Sophie decided it would be too upsetting for the crowd if she went.' She's well aware that she looks like Princess Diana from a distance and made her decision in a caring and thoughtful way. The Royal Family fully supported her."
Does Duchess Sophie look similar to Princess Diana?
At the time, Sophie bore a noticeable resemblance to Diana. Both women had short, blonde hairstyles and similar facial features, including their striking blue eyes.
While their outward appearances matched, insiders suggest the two women were very different in personality and style. According to multiple reports, they did not always see eye-to-eye.
© WireImageRoyal author Andrew Morton previously described an uncomfortable encounter between Sophie and Diana in his book Diana: In Pursuit of Love.
Morton claimed Diana once upset Sophie at a royal dinner, causing her to leave the event in tears. He wrote that Diana had made her "disdain clear" by "staring intensely at her" throughout the evening.
© Getty ImagesDespite these claims, Sophie herself has never spoken publicly in detail about her relationship with the late Princess.
Princess Diana's funeral remembered
Princess Diana's funeral remains one of the most-watched televised events of all time, with an estimated 2.5 billion viewers worldwide.
© Princess Diana ArchiveMany remember the poignant sight of young Prince William and Prince Harry, then aged just 15 and 12, bravely walking behind their mother’s coffin.
Crowds lined London’s streets to say goodbye to the beloved princess, leaving tributes and flowers outside Kensington Palace.
Sophie's current role in the royal family
Today, Duchess Sophie is regarded as one of the family’s most trusted members, regularly representing King Charles at royal engagements.
© GettyRoyal experts frequently praise her calm and steady presence. She is known for quietly supporting her husband Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh, in his public duties.
Sophie’s charitable work includes advocating for issues such as women's rights, eradicating avoidable blindness, and promoting mental health awareness.
