Sophie 'relieved' she can stop curtsying to Meghan Markle after her attacks on Royal Family

Before becoming the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie would have been expected to curtsy to Meghan Markle as she held the higher rank of Duchess of Sussex within the Royal Family.

However, as Sophie and Meghan are now both Duchesses they hold the same rank in the monarchy.

A friend of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh told the Mail on Sunday: "Sophie is relieved.

"She no longer has to curtsy to someone in the family who has not only left royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support."

On Friday it was announced that King Charles had granted the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to Prince Edward and Sophie.

Prince Edward succeeded his father Prince Philip as the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip died in April 2021 at the age of 99.

Edward was promised the Duke of Edinburgh title by the Queen when he married Sophie in 1999.

The Royal Family announced the new titles in a tweet to mark Prince Edward's birthday.

The Royal Family tweeted: "Wishing the new Duke of Edinburgh a very Happy Birthday today! The King has conferred the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon his brother, Prince Edward, on his 59th birthday."

The monarchy added in a statement: "His Majesty The King has been pleased to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, on the occasion of His Royal Highness’s 59th birthday.

"The title will be held by Prince Edward for His Royal Highness’s lifetime.

"The Dukedom was last created for Prince Philip in 1947, upon his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, who held the title of Duchess of Edinburgh before acceding to the throne in 1952.

"The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential."