Duchess Sophie has received an encouraging update about her future role and royal responsibilities, with a body language expert suggesting she could be asked to represent the monarchy on an even larger scale.
The Duchess of Edinburgh is currently undertaking a three-day visit to Bangladesh, where she is meeting communities and organisations highlighting the strength of the partnership between the UK and Bangladesh.
During the trip, Sophie has also been observing the support provided to the Rohingya community, bringing attention to the challenges faced by displaced people.
Her latest overseas engagement has once again highlighted her growing presence as a working member of the Royal Family.
Body language expert Darren Stanton has now discussed Sophie’s development over the years, comparing her increasing confidence with that of Prince William and Princess Kate.
Speaking to The Express, Stanton suggested that both Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, have gradually been given more royal responsibilities.
“As the decades have gone on, Duchess Sophie has grown in confidence. Prince Edward and Sophie are being drip-fed even more to do royal engagements,” he said.
The expert also praised the Duchess’s approach when meeting members of the public, pointing to her open-palm gestures as an indication of confidence and authenticity.
“Sophie is great at meeting people, with open-palm gestures, which show honesty and authenticity. It is saying that she has nothing to hide,” Stanton explained.
He went on to compare her progress with the development seen in the Prince and Princess of Wales as they have taken on greater responsibilities within the monarchy.
“Similar to Princess Kate and Prince William, there has been an evolution in Duchess Sophie with her levels of confidence. This is going to continue,” he added.
Stanton believes the Duchess’s growing experience and confidence could make her an increasingly important representative of the monarchy.
He suggested that the Royal Family may ask Sophie to undertake more engagements and take on a greater role in representing the King.
The Duchess has built a reputation through her work with charitable organisations and her international visits, including engagements focused on women’s rights, education and support for vulnerable communities.
Her current visit to Bangladesh provides another opportunity to highlight issues affecting local communities while strengthening ties between the two countries.
Although Buckingham Palace has not announced any specific expansion of her royal duties, Stanton’s assessment suggests that Sophie’s responsibilities could continue to grow in the coming years.
