King Charles III has someone he fully trusts who has nothing to do with Queen Camilla. In moments when the sovereign can't attend certain commitments, he sends his replacement and right-hand woman. This is Sophie of Edinburgh, nicknamed Charles's "secret weapon" for her commitment and discretion.
Since the king began his cancer treatment, the Duchess of Edinburgh has taken on important missions, replacing him at complex official events. Queen Camilla is aware of this figure's existence and understands the essential role she plays in the Royal Family. So much so that, soon, she will represent Charles on an official trip.
Queen Camilla knows the woman King Charles III trusts most
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are facing one of the most challenging periods for the British Royal Family. The distance with Harry has been joined by the king's illness, which keeps the institution on edge. For this reason, to prevent the Crown from collapsing, Charles III has delegated part of his duties to a woman.
The king's substitute is Sophie of Edinburgh, Charles's right-hand woman who has nothing to do with Queen Camilla. The duchess has established an essential role within the British Royal Family thanks to her discretion, humanitarian commitment, humble elegance, and great institutional empathy.
Camilla is fully aware of Sophie's existence and today she will act on behalf of King Charles III. She will do so on an official trip to Bosnia for the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. She will remain there for the days the tribute to the victims lasts, performing the role of the British sovereign still undergoing treatment.
Sophie will lay flowers and attend all scheduled events and meetings. She will even read a message written by King Charles III. All this as a sign of the great trust the British Royal Family has placed in her.
For some time now, the role of the Duchess of Edinburgh has intensified and gained special significance. This is of great help to the Crown in these times of such uncertainty and need.
Who is King Charles III's most trusted person?
Sophie, married to Prince Edward, was named Duchess of Edinburgh in March 2023, formally advancing her position within the British royal structure. In addition to her humanitarian work, the duchess has increased British diplomatic representation, meeting with NATO representatives and prominent military forces.
This new institutional weight has strengthened her image as King Charles III's "secret weapon": combative, effective, sensitive, and willing to step forward. With the death of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021, she obtained a representative title and, shortly after, became a key figure in the British Crown.
In 2024, coinciding with the king's illness, she took on 257 official commitments, more than double those in 2023. Thus, she became one of the most active people in the British Royal Family. Also in 2024, she stood out for her presence in Ukraine, being the only member of the Windsor family to visit that country after the Russian invasion.
King Charles III considers her worthy to represent the Crown beyond his own current capacity. Thanks to this support, he and Queen Camilla can attend to other commitments of greater institutional representation. She also helps expand the Royal Family's presence beyond the United Kingdom.
Thus, Sophie of Edinburgh has gone from being the discreet sister-in-law to becoming the visible face of the British monarchy.