Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh ‘relieved' she no longer has to curtsy to Meghan Markle after receiving her new title
After Sophie was made Duchess of Edinburgh earlier this year in honor of her husband Prince Edward's 61st birthday, a new rule has been implemented.
Now, the 60-year-old reportedly no longer needs to curtsy to Meghan Markle.
Advertisement
9 Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attend Royal Ascot Day 1 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018.
UK Press via Getty Images
'Sophie is relieved,' her friend revealed to reporters, according to Hello Magazine. 'She no longer has to curtsey to someone in the family who has not only left royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support.'
Before Sophie's new title, Markle, 43, was above her in the royal pecking order because of her marriage to Prince Harry, 40.
Advertisement
The royal family member called going from Countess of Wessex to Duchess of Edinburgh 'quite a big moment.'
9 Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Meghan Markle attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial at The Cenotaph.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Camilla previously held the title.
The Duchess of Edinburgh first met Edward in 1987 after she moved to London to work for Capital Radio.
Advertisement
The two remained friends for years before sparking up a romance. In 1999, Prince Edward and Sophie tied the knot.
9 Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
WireImage
Sophie has been a staunch confidant of King Charles, 76, and a loyal member of the royal family since marrying Edward.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Sophie allegedly skipped Princess Diana's funeral because the pair looked too much alike.
Advertisement
'She 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,'' author Sean Smith wrote in his new biography about the Duchess, titled 'Sophie: Saving the Royal Family.'
9 Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh visits the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival.
Getty Images
''She's well aware that she looks like Princess Diana from a distance and made her decision in a caring and thoughtful way,'' he added. ''The royal family fully supported.''
Both Diana, who died at age 36 following a car accident in 1997, and Sophie had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
Sophie addressed their similarities in the '90s.
9 Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.
via REUTERS
'I don't deny that we do look alike,' she said at the time, per Daily Express. 'But I couldn't ever compete with Diana's image.'
She added, 'I'm not Diana.'
Advertisement
While the West Kent College alum is rising in the royal ranks, Markle and Prince Harry stepped away from their royal duties in 2020.
9 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex seen during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Colombia Visit on August 15, 2024.
Archewell Foundation via Getty Images
The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, moved to Montecito, California, with their kids Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.
Since relocating from England to the US, Markle and Harry have remained a united front.
Advertisement
In April, the 'Suits' alum reflected on her romance with the royal. She reminisced on affectionately using 'M' and 'H' to talk about one another at the beginning of their relationship.
9 Meghan Markle at the 2025 TIME100 Summit.
Getty Images for TIME
'Probably at the beginning of us dating, when everything was in code,' she admitted while on 'The Jamie Kern Lima Show.' 'People didn't know we were dating for, talk about memory lane, so long ago. I mean, it'll be our seven-year wedding anniversary soon. I couldn't tell anyone who I was dating, and who was keeping [the secret], so I think we were just on a letter basis.'
Markle confessed, 'It stuck.'
Advertisement
'I love nicknames,' she gushed.
9 Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex attends the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards.
Getty Images Ms. Foundation for Women
'He's just out there, just constant, like he's just going to do whatever he can to make sure that our family is safe and protected and we're uplifted and still make time for date nights,' Markle continued.
'He's also a fox. If you haven't noticed, my husband's very, very handsome. But his heart is even more beautiful.'
Advertisement
The pair have fiercely supported one another since stepping away from the royal family.
9 Meghan Markle at the 2024 CHLA Gala.
Variety via Getty Images
'You have to imagine at the beginning, everyone has, like, butterflies. Then we immediately went into the trenches together. Yeah, right out of the gate, like six months into dating,' Markle reflected.
'So now, seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way, and that's why I feel like it's more of a honeymoon period for us now.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Princess Diana's lookalike niece Lady Eliza Spencer gets engaged — but dad Charles Spencer remains silent amid rumored rift
Lady Eliza Spencer is engaged! Eliza, who is the lookalike niece of the late Princess Diana, revealed Thursday that her longtime boyfriend, Channing Millerd, had finally popped the all-important question after a decade of dating. The aristocrat, 33, announced the exciting news with a series of loved-up images from the special moment — which took place during the couple's recent getaway to Santorini, Greece. 8 Lady Eliza Spencer has revealed that her longtime boyfriend, Channing Millerd, finally popped the all-important question after a decade of dating. Instagram/@elizavspencer 'Forever and Ever,' she captioned the sweet Instagram post, adding a red heart emoji. In the images, Eliza flashed her diamond sparkler with the stunning views of the Aegean Sea serving as a backdrop. The snaps also showed the romantic set-up, which featured a candle-lit dinner surrounded by flowers overlooking the caldera. In one image, Lady Eliza can be seen beaming from ear to ear as she showed off her diamond ring while embracing her new fiancé. Millerd, for his part, re-shared the moment on his own Instagram Story to Ben E. King's tune 'Stand By Me.' 8 The aristocrat, 33, announced the exciting news with a series of loved-up images from the Santorini engagement. Instagram/@elizavspencer 8 The snaps also showed the romantic set-up, which featured a candle-lit dinner surrounded by flowers overlooking the caldera. Instagram/@elizavspencer It wasn't long before friends and family rushed over to the comments section to celebrate the news. Eliza's twin sister, Lady Amelia, couldn't contain her excitement over the engagement. 'The best news everrrrrrrr,' she wrote. 'I couldn't be happier for you both! The BEST NEWS IN THE WORLD. I love you both with all my heart! The perfect couple and dream engagement.' However, Eliza's father, Earl Charles Spencer — who is the brother of the late Princess Diana — did not publicly congratulate his daughter on the news. 8 Eliza's father, Earl Charles Spencer did not publicly congratulate his daughter on the news. Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation 8 Eliza revealed in March that the duo were already drawing up plans. Instagram/@channingmillerd The continued silence has fueled speculation of a rift within the Spencer family, as sources previously indicated tensions between Charles and his children. What's more, insiders claimed that the Earl has been absent from several family weddings, including those of his daughters Lady Kitty, 34, and Lady Amelia, 33. Royal fans have also recently highlighted a lack of social media interaction between Charles and his kids — all of whom are very active on various platforms. The Post has reached out to the Earl's reps for comment. 8 Eliza's twin sister, Lady Amelia, couldn't contain her excitement over the engagement news. Instagram/@elizavspencer 8 Eliza is the lookalike niece of the late Princess Diana, who died in 1997 at age 36. Getty Images As for her wedding ceremony, Eliza previously revealed to Hello! Magazine that she and Millerd were already drawing up plans. 'We love the idea of a destination wedding,' she said in March. 'We feel drawn to Italy, especially somewhere by the ocean — that feels so romantic to us. Spain has that same coastal charm we adore.' 'At the same time, Amelia and Greg's wedding in Cape Town was unforgettable, and South Africa will always be home,' she added. Follow The Post's royal family live blog for the latest pics, news, exclusive details and more Eliza was the last of her sisters to get engaged, as her twin sister Amelia tied the knot with her beau Greg Mallett in a lavish 2023 ceremony in Capetown, South Africa. Their eldest sister, Lady Kitty, married Michael Lewis, 66, in 2021. The billionaire is five years older than her father. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters The engagement is doubly special for the Spencer sisters, as Millerd and Mallett are longtime friends after attending school together. 'We played a lot of the same sports, like rugby and water polo, and naturally shared a lot of the same interests,' Mallett told the outlet. 8 Earl Charles Spencer is dad to daughters Kitty, Amelia and Eliza, and son Louis. Getty Images 'More than that, we share the same values — loyalty, ambition, integrity and a strong sense of family — which has kept our bond strong over the years,' he said, adding that Millerd is one of his 'best and closest friends.' The Spencer sisters also have a younger brother, Louis, Viscount Althorp. Despite being the youngest of the family, the 31-year-old will be inheriting the Spencer family seat and Althorp estate — childhood home of Princess Diana.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Dean Cain admits romance with Pamela Anderson was short-lived for this one reason
Dean Cain's short-lived fling with 'Baywatch' bombshell Pamela Anderson didn't last for one simple reason. During a candid interview, Cain, 59, explained that their six-month romance started out 'hot,' but ultimately fizzled out. Advertisement 'That candle burned hot and short,' he told Variety. Cain explained that he had ties to Anderson, 58, when she was becoming a global sex symbol on the heels of her iconic 'Baywatch' role. He explained the reason for their break-up was that they were both looking for something different in their relationship. 'She wanted to be with the rock-star kind of guy, and that's not me,' the former 'Lois & Clark' star admitted. Advertisement It's no secret that Anderson was living life in the fast lane back in the '90s, as she dated famous musicians and other high-profile stars as she rose to fame. The former Playboy model has been married five times, with her first husband being Tommy Lee. She had a short marriage to Kid Rock, then married Rick Salomon, divorced him, and married him again before they split for good. Her most recent marriage, to her bodyguard, Dan Hayhurst, ended in 2021. Advertisement 5 Pamela Anderson and Dean Cain dated for six months in the '90s. GC Images Although Cain has never been married, he's dated several Hollywood actresses, including Brooke Shields. Despite the short-lived romance with Anderson, Cain said he only had 'fond memories' of their time together. Cain's comments come after Anderson was caught 'making out' with her 'Naked Gun' co-star Liam Neeson earlier this week. Advertisement 5 Cain claimed that his ex-girlfriend wanted to be with 'the rock-star kind of guy.' Getty Images for Family Film and TV Awards 5 Cain is known for playing Clark Kent in the television show 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.' ©Lorimar Film Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection On Tuesday morning, Anderson and Neeson were caught getting very cozy with one another during their appearance on the 'Today' show – at one point, they were shown with their arms around each other in what appeared to be a passionate embrace. Neeson, 73, gave Anderson a steamy kiss before the pair turned to the camera, looking surprised. The hosts are heard in the background saying, 'They're making out on the 'Today' show!' 5 Anderson and Liam Neeson are reportedly dating after they met on the set of 'The Naked Gun.' Zuma / 5 The pair attended SiriusXM's Town Hall with the cast of 'The Naked Gun' on Wednesday. Getty Images for SiriusXM 'I had never met Pamela before,' Neeson explained during their interview. 'We met on set. And we discovered we had a lovely, budding chemistry — as two actors.' Advertisement Neeson continued, hinting that whatever's happening between them isn't being forced. 'It's like, 'Oh, this is nice. Let's not mold this. Let's just let it breathe.' And that's what we did.' A source close to the film told People that the sparks aren't just for the cameras. 'It's a budding romance in the early stages. It's sincere and it's clear they're smitten with each other,' the insider claimed. Neeson and Anderson are reportedly 'enjoying each other's company.'
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Country singer Conner Smith returns to the stage after tragic crash that killed elderly woman
Country music artist Conner Smith returned to the stage for the first time since a tragic car accident in June that left an elderly woman dead. His performance marked a deeply emotional and faith-filled night at the Grand Ole Opry. Sources close to Smith exclusively shared a video with Fox News Digital that showed the singer addressing the crowd, and opening up about the aftermath of the accident. Advertisement 'I've found in the darkest of moments, the Lord is so much closer than ever before. He was better than I could ever imagine every step of the way,' Smith said. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter, known for hits like 'Take It Slow' and 'Creek Will Rise,' had canceled multiple performances over the past two months as he grieved and stepped back from the spotlight. Now, in what he calls a 'second chance,' Smith returned to the stage. Before he stepped onstage, Smith addressed fans directly with a heartfelt post on his blog post titled 'The First Step.' Advertisement He candidly opened up about the emotional aftermath of the fatal crash and the private journey he's been on since then. 'The moment tragedy came, I knew that my heart had no way to process it,' Smith wrote on Substack. 'Surrounded by an incredible community, my wife, family, friends, pastors, for the first 30 days, I stayed isolated from the world. I spent most of my time with friends who had stopped by the house, or just me and Jesus. I turned off my phone, and the world, and simply guarded my mind, processing the pain with the people around me.' 3 Conner Smith performs onstage at the New Faces of Country Music Dinner during CRS 2024 at Omni Nashville Hotel on March 01, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images 3 Smith performs during Big Machine Label Group x CMA Fest 2025 at Lainey Wilson's Bell Bottoms Up on June 07, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group Advertisement During his performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Smith was introduced by fellow Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman and performed a set filled with emotion and worship, debuting a personal new song titled 'Songs of David,' which he described as a 'version of a prayer' he'd been writing over the past two months. Smith's heartfelt performance comes after he made the decision to cancel multiple shows in the wake of the accident. He explained at the time that he needed time to grieve and focus on his emotional well-being. While he pointed out that performing has often served as a source of healing for him, he acknowledged that this moment required him to take a step back. 3 Smith performs on the Chevy Riverfront stage during day three of CMA Fest 2025 at Riverfront Park on June 7, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images Advertisement 'Out of respect for everyone involved and to give space for grieving, I made the decision to step away from shows these past few weeks. I have always found that making music and playing shows is a place of healing for me – but for this moment, it was important for me to take time away.' In June, Smith was behind the wheel during the deadly Nashville crash that left a 77-year-old woman dead. Earlier this month, Smith was issued a misdemeanor citation for failure to yield, resulting in a fatality. The rising country star took to social media to break his silence as he grieved and mourned the loss of Dorothy Dobbins. 'Four weeks ago, I was involved in a tragic vehicle accident that resulted in the loss of a life,' Smith penned in an Instagram post on July 11. 'Not a day has gone by that I haven't grieved, prayed, and mourned for Ms. Dobbins and her family.'
