Why Duchess Sophie Allegedly Feels Snubbed by King Charles

King Charles wears a gray suit and Duchess Sophie, who is wearing a white shirt dress and a wide-brimmed hat, touches his shoulder — (Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Duchess Sophie stepped up in 2024, carrying out a multitude of official engagements on behalf of the Royal Family, while Princess Kate and King Charles underwent cancer treatment. But according to a new report, Duchess Sophie is feeling "snubbed," as she'd allegedly like to take on more responsibility.

Often referred to as Queen Elizabeth II's "true favorite," with whom she had a "deep connection," Duchess Sophie earned a special place within the Royal Family after marrying Prince Edward. However, according to The Sun, Duchess Sophie "has not been asked to help on major jobs—despite sources saying she's 'chomping at the bit' to do more."

King Charles was hospitalized on Thursday, March 27, but rather than utilizing eager Royal Family members, the monarch apparently plans to continue working. Royal author Phil Dampier told The Sun, "King Charles has always worked hard and is renowned for burning [the] midnight oil and even falling asleep at his desk working so many hours." He continued, "But those days must be a thing of the past and it's vital he looks after his health and cuts down his workload."

King Charles and Duchess Sophie in 2023, King Charles wears a gray suit and Duchess Sophie, who is wearing a white shirt dress and a wide-brimmed hat, touches his shoulder — Duchess Sophie "has not been asked to help on major jobs."

Expressing concern about King Charles's workload, Dampier explained, "He needs to pace himself—which The Queen has said he is hopeless at doing—and she is probably the only person he will listen to."

Dampier also suggested that, should King Charles take a break from carrying out official engagements, it would provide "a golden opportunity for other members of the Royal Family." The royal expert explained, "Sophie has done superbly on recent jobs here and abroad and has become a star performer...There should be an opportunity for Sophie to be allowed to do more."

Duchess Sophie wearing a blue blazer speaking into a mic while sitting at a table — "Sophie has done superbly on recent jobs here and abroad and has become a star performer."

Ingrid Seward, the editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, agreed with Dampier, telling The Sun, "[Charles] is in a position of such responsibility and is always saying, 'The trouble with me is I care too much.' He constantly works and wants to work 'til he drops." She continued, "Having cancer treatment every week for more than a year is quite a slog for anyone, let alone having the responsibility of being The King."

As a result, Seward hopes Duchess Sophie is able to step into the spotlight more often. "I'd like to see Sophie given more big jobs because everybody loves her and she could step up," Seward explained.

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Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.