The Duchess of Edinburgh displayed a touching gesture “you wouldn’t have seen a few years ago” with the Princess Wales on Remembrance Sunday, a royal author has claimed.
Sophie was seen placing a reassuring hand on Kate’s shoulder as they departed from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London following the Cenotaph service.
The moment revealed a more personal side to royal interactions, marking a departure from their traditionally reserved public appearances.
The gesture came as Kate continues her gradual return to royal duties after announcing she had completed chemotherapy in September.
The Duchess of Edinburgh displayed a touching gesture of support towards the Princess of Wales
Getty
This display of warmth represents a new era of openness within the Royal Family, particularly in their support of the Princess of Wales during a challenging year, royal author Ingrid Seward argued.
Seward told HELLO! magazine: “The royals have always shown a human side, but there is more warmth now.
“That gesture of Sophie putting her arm around Kate is something you wouldn’t have seen a few years ago.”
Royal biographer Robert Jobson suggested the moment appeared to reveal the protective nature of the Firm towards Kate during this period.
He said: “That moment said a lot. The royal family are all looking after Kate and there is a protective bubble around her.”
The close bond between the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess of Wales has been evident in various ways over the years.
Lady Louise Windsor, Sophie and Edward’s daughter, served as a bridesmaid at William and Kate’s 2011 wedding.
That event marked Kate’s first back to back public appearances since her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess and Prince of Wales have also shown increased affection publicly, with recent footage showing them holding hands on a picnic blanket and William kissing Kate’s cheek.
A royal biographer, Claudia Joseph, suggested that Kate saw the Duchess of Edinburgh “as a solid and trustworthy member of the Firm”.
She added: “The women have become close as Kate adapts to her new role as Princess of Wales.
“She has found that Sophie is a true confidante and sounding board and they have developed a mutual respect and an unbreakable bond.”
