Duchess chose to rely solely on Prince Harry during early royal transition, royal author claims
Meghan Markle reportedly turned down an offer of royal guidance from Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (formerly Countess of Wessex), during her early days as a working royal, choosing instead to rely on her husband, Prince Harry.
According to royal author Gyles Brandreth in his book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, the late Queen Elizabeth II suggested Sophie as an ideal mentor for Meghan after her 2018 wedding, recognising the challenges she might face in adapting to royal life.
“The Queen understood that Harry’s girl might find adjusting to Royal life challenging,” Brandreth wrote. “To help Meghan, the Queen suggested that her daughter-in-law, Sophie Wessex, would be an ideal mentor. ‘Sophie can help show you the ropes,’ said the Queen. Meghan made it clear that she did not feel she needed Sophie’s help. She had Harry.”
Despite Meghan’s reported decision, the two women were seen together during the Queen’s state funeral in 2022, riding in the same car during the coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall — a moment that suggested cordiality, if not closeness.
Sophie was also among the first royals to visit Meghan and Harry after the birth of their son, Archie, in 2019, with The Times reporting that she spent time with them at Frogmore Cottage.
In a separate interview with The Sunday Times, Sophie reflected on the pressures of marrying into the monarchy, hinting at shared struggles and the often intense public scrutiny that comes with royal life — parallels that may have offered Meghan valuable perspective, had the mentorship been accepted.
