The Countess of Wessex has a great mentor in the Queen. The 50-year-old, who married Prince Edward in 1999, has expressed her admiration for her mother-in-law, who she describes as a "great listener".
"Watching the Queen in certain situations – she’s a great listener," Sophie told The Sunday Express. "And you see her considering what people are saying and you can see the information going in, and she clearly has a great desire to learn all the time.
"I think that’s amazing at 89, with all she’s seen and done in her life."
© Photo: RexSophie Wessex said the Queen is a great listener
Sophie has a strong relationship with Her Majesty and has often been described as "the Queen's favourite" as the two share a passion for horses and military history. The Wessex family are also regular visitors to Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip are said to enjoy spending time bonding with their grandchildren Louise, 11, and James, seven.
A royal aide told the newspaper: "Now they are largely based at Windsor, which is just down the road from Louise and James, they see a great deal of them. Both the children love riding and regularly go on hacks with the Queen."
It is not the first time Sophie has spoken highly of her mother-in-law. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar in December, the Countess spoke candidly about the life lessons she has learnt from the Queen over the last 16 years.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSophie has often been described as "the Queen's favourite"
"The Queen would never let anybody down, and that means that you feel the same way. Because there's that part of her which I'm sure is like the proverbial stick of rock… the word 'service' just runs through her," she said.
The Queen has also taught Sophie about the "art of talking meaningfully".Sophie said: "It's hard to make people feel that the conversation you've had with them was worthwhile, but the Queen is very good at that."
