A surprising reasonhas come to light regarding the absence of Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh, at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. A recent book reveals a reason filled with sensitivity to explain why she decided not to attend the most emotional event of 1997.
Sophie's absence was seen as a sign of respect or simply a protocol error. What has now been revealed, however, completely changes that perception.
Expectation for an unexpected absence at Diana's funeral
On September 6, 1997, millions of people around the world followed the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. The ceremony, held at Westminster Abbey, brought together royalty, international leaders, and personalities from all walks of life. However, there were absences that caught the public's attention and sparked all kinds of speculation.
Among those absences, one in particular caused curiosity in the media and among British citizens. Sophie Rhys-Jones, then fiancée of Prince Edward, was not seen among the attendees. Her absence became a topic of conversation both in the press and on the streets of London.
In the days that followed, theories about her decision began to multiply. Some attributed it to a private gesture of respect, while others suggested a possible internal disagreement. The real reason, however, would take years to become known.
A source close to the princess reveals the real reason why Sophie didn't attend Lady Di's funeral
During the following months, Sophie chose not to comment on the subject. The young woman, who at that time kept a rather discreet profile, was focused on her professional commitments and her private life. That reserved attitude only fueled the speculation that was circulating.
A close friend of the Palace has recently confirmed the reason why the current Princess of Edinburgh didn't attend Lady Di's funeral. According to this source, the absence was not due to indifference or protocol issues.
The real reason was related to a very personal and delicate detail: the strong physical resemblance Sophie has to Diana. The princess was fully aware of how her presence could affect the attendees at such a sensitive moment.
Sophie considered that her resemblance could cause unexpected pain among Diana's family and close friends. For that reason, she decided not to attend in order to avoid overshadowing the ceremony and to keep the respect the occasion deserved.
This revelation puts an end to years of speculation. Moreover, it shows a more human and empathetic side of the Duchess of Edinburgh, who chose to put the feelings of the United Kingdom before personal prominence.
The surprising resemblance between Sophie and Lady Di that marked the 90s
In the 90s, Sophie was nicknamed by the press as "Di-dentical" due to her astonishing resemblance to Diana. Both shared the same haircut, a slim figure, and light eyes that made them almost identical. This physical resemblance caught the attention of both the media and the public alike.
Moreover, Sophie's style of dress was very similar to Diana's, further reinforcing the comparison between the two. They dressed with elegance and simplicity, a combination that gave them that air of modern and approachable royalty. It was common to see them at public events wearing outfits that seemed to reflect a very similar taste.
Diana herself used to joke about this similarity, calling Sophie "my double" when she saw her. This affectionate nickname reflected the trust and complicity that existed between them. Despite the differences, their resemblance was a detail that never went unnoticed for years.
Sophie's decision not to attend Lady Di's funeral showed respect and sensitivity at such a delicate moment for the country. Her resemblance to Diana became a reason to keep discretion. This gesture shows that, beyond appearances, the Duchess of Edinburgh has always acted with consideration.