Prince Harry and Megan Markle stepped back as senior royals last year, prompting speculation over who will fill in their roles. The two Sussexes currently live in the US, with coronavirus restrictions further distancing them from a physical royal reunion.
Now, a royal expert has said Prince Charles could use Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and her husband, Prince Edward, to fill the gap when he leads the monarchy.
Brittani Barger, a royal analyst and deputy editor of Royal Central, told the Daily Star: “The Wessexes have really stepped up since the Sussex exit, and Sophie has always been a hidden gem.”
Ms Barger claimed the Wessexes are “most likely” to fulfil the Sussexes’ role and “do what they would have been doing in Charles’ monarchy”.
Prince Charles is said to have been close to Meghan Markle when she was a senior royal.
In royal biography Finding Freedom, a friend of Charles is said to have said the Prince of Wales took “a real shine to Meghan,” according to Town and Country magazine.
Analysts have suggested Sophie could step into the Sussex roles before now.
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“People may pay more attention to what I am doing, but I remain as busy as I have ever been.”
Discussing Harry and Meghan’s exit, Sophie added: “I just hope they will be happy.”
Last month, analysts speculated Harry and Meghan could be set to return to the UK this summer amid a number of royal celebrations.
This June, Prince Philip turns 100, while the nation will celebrate the Queen’s official 95th birthday just days later.
In August last year, Prince Harry said in a video call with the Rugby Football League: “I would have been back already had it not been for Covid.”
