By Katherine Tinsley
2:46pm PST, Jan 28, 2026
_
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has become a beloved member of the royal family, but she initially struggled to adjust to life within the Firm.Keep reading for the details…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news
_
According to Daily Express, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, admitted that it took her a while to "find her feet" as a royal."The frustration was that I had to reduce my expectations of what I could actually do," Sophie said.
_
While Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, acknowledged struggling with the "ceremonial" nature of royal life, she's been able to use her past career in public relations at official gatherings.Sophie said that she instinctively wanted to give professional advice to charities, but she was typically expected to just be "icing on the cake — the person to come in and thank their volunteers and funders — not necessarily to tell them how to run their communications plan."
_
Both Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Kate Middleton have been called the royal family's "secret weapon" by royal watchers.Woman magazine noted that Brits have "really taken her into their hearts."
_
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward hinted that the evolution within the royal family for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is due to her understanding of her role."With Sophie, it's not all about her," Seward said, per Daily Express. "She was one of the first 'outsiders' to join the royal family and realize that it's about everyone working together as a team. She really understands that, and she doesn't seek the spotlight."