SOPHIE & EDWARD MARRIAGE UNDER PRESSURE

NEW DEMANDS ON THE COUNTESS ARE CAUSING TENSION

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Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward have long been a rock-solid fixture among the ranks of the royal couples.

However, there’s been a shift in recent months as Sophie and Edward find themselves spending increasing amounts of time apart. And intriguingly, other family members may be to blame for the separation…

Royal author Phil Dampier tells New Idea Royals Monthly that the combination of Prince Andrew’s personal scandals, along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprise move to walk away from their life and duties, has had a knock-on effect for the Wessexes.

“In the absence of Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has been stepping up to the plate and making a much bigger contribution on the royal scene,” Phil explains.

Once relegated to the background, Sophie, 55, has suddenly been called upon to take over a raft of royal responsibilities and public engagements.