'STAR' SOPHIE STANDS STRONG WITH KATE

Soon to turn 61, the Duchess of Edinburgh is a solid mentor and confidante to the Princess of Wales

- 

With her 61st birthday just around the corner, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's growing bond with the Princess of Wales is a sign of her soaring importance within the royal family.

Sophie and Kate's close affinity is now seen as one of the monarchy's biggest strengths, and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells OK!, "They have a lot in common, and I'm sure that Sophie was an invaluable mentor for the princess as she learned about royal ways of life. I think they're now much more like friends than aunt and niece, and the two of them have established a very solid friendship which will serve our future Queen well in years to come."

Kate, 44, is said to have called Sophie a "tower of strength" during her cancer ordeal and subsequent recovery, and Jennie adds, "I'm sure it's been a comfort for the princess to know that Sophie was on hand during the last difficult couple of years. After all, Sophie had her own serious health problems with an ectopic pregnancy and then a very difficult birth.”

To coincide with her birthday earlier this month, Kate released a “deeply personal” video discussing the healing powers of nature during her cancer treatment.