Duchess Sophie forced to intervene as young royal fainted during very public ceremony

Duchess Sophie forced to intervene as young royal fainted during very public ceremony
The Duchess of Edinburgh had to once step in to help a young royal relative after they fainted during an important event.

Duchess Sophie has often been seen supporting various members of the Royal Family (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Duchess Sophie was hailed a “credit” to the nation this week after leading the Armistice Day event in Staffordshire on Monday, however it appears she is also a credit to her own family too.

On Sunday, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, was spotted at The Cenotaph Remembrance service with Princess Kate as they watched proceedings from a nearby balcony.

Throughout the service, cameras showed the duchess, who married Prince Edward in 1999, supporting the Princess of Wales, including one shot of Sophie putting her hand on the emotional future Queen’s back.

One royal expert said the duchess is likely to have been a “tower of strength” for the princess this year after her cancer diagnosis, with the duo having shared a good relationship since Kate’s 2011 wedding to Prince William.

While many royal fans were quick to notice the support Sophie was offering the princess, it is not the only time the royal has been there for other family members in their times of need.

In 1999, Sophie – who had only been married into the Royal Family for five months – helped her niece Princess Beatrice after she fainted on the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as she watched the memorial service at the Cenotaph.

At the time, the princess was just 11-years-old and was watching her father Prince Andrew lay a wreath during the service.

As she fainted, she was caught by Sophie, who was then the Countess of Wessex, and supported by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Sophie’s husband, Prince Edward, who were also watching proceedings from the balcony according to Hello!.

The princess appeared to recover quickly and did not injure herself.

After the duchess’ appearance on the balcony with Princess Kate this weekend, royal fans have been reminded of the sweet bond they both share.

Body language Judi James told Express.co.uk in 2020 that their relationship over the years has shown the duchess taking on a “semi-maternal approach” with Kate.

She explained at the time: “Many of the poses of the two women together show Sophie face-checking Kate with quite strong bouts of watchful-looking eye contact to suggest she’s taking a semi-maternal approach.

“However, she also has raised brows and what’s called a ‘pinging’ smile that implies she wants to ensure Kate is enjoying herself.

“There is some mirroring when the two women walk together but it’s primarily Sophie projecting the stronger signals of relaxed confidence while Kate smiles happily at her side.”