Queen Elizabeth and Duchess Sophie had a close relationship (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
is a much-loved member of the Royal Family and, over the years, has created close bonds with many of her royal relatives.
As well as being close with her brother-in-law King Charles, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, was also believed to have been very close with her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The pair were believed to see each other often, with Sophie and Prince Edward’s Bagshot Park home in Surrey just a short drive away from Windsor Castle.
As well as , it is believed the feeling was mutual, as revealed by Queen Elizabeth’s former communication secretary Ailsa Anderson.
Anderson : “They were incredibly close, both geographically and emotionally.”
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She continued: “A very, very warm, genuine relationship, a loving relationship.”
Ms Anderson, who also spent time working alongside Sophie, also complimented the duchess as she referred to her as being “incredibly family-orientated”.
The late Queen’s former communication secretary said: “She is warm and lovely and generous and kind, in and out. It’s not just a show, it’s exactly who she is.”
As Sophie and the late Queen saw each other often, it has been reported that the duchess and Her Majesty were close confidantes.
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Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward spent a lot of time with the late Queen (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Ingrid Seward previously told : “With the exception of her daughter Anne, the was closer to Sophie than any of the other royal women.
“It really was a genuine closeness, and Elizabeth was always Sophie’s biggest confidante.
“The Queen found her very down to earth, because she refused to have expensive security and things like that, and she loved her lack of airs and graces.
“I think she saw Sophie as a bit of a surrogate daughter, too.”