Duchess of Edinburgh 'playing key role' amid Princess Kate's cancer battle
PA
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh is said to have taken on a "key role" in the family as Princess Kate continues to recover from cancer.
The Duchess has a blossoming relationship with Princess Charlotte after the aunt and niece have shared an occasional shopping trip to Chelsea and Knightsbridge.
Kate is believed to be grateful for the "touching" relationship between her daughter and Sophie.
A source told The Sun: "There is a really warm connection between Sophie and her great-niece, which is very touching."
Despite Sophie's daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, currently studying at St Andrews University, she also "adores Charlotte too, but doesn’t see as much of her as she is mostly away in Scotland".
Discussing the growing aunt-niece relationship, the royal insider said the Princess of Wales "loves the fact that Charlotte gets on so well with her older relation".
Kate and Sophie have too shared a loving bond with the two previously seen affectionately interacting at royal engagements.
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Charlotte is also said to be close with her other aunt, Pippa Middleton, after they appeared together at the 2024 Wimbledon men's singles final.
The young Princess, nine, sat in between Pippa and her mother Kate as they watched action unfold from the Royal Box.
It comes after Kate was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
The Princess of Wales underwent medical tests after significant abdominal surgery found the disease was present.
Princess Charlotte, Lady Louise and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh went on a special shopping trip in London, according to a source
GettyShe revealed in a video that she was receiving preventative chemotherapy in March.
The royal is not expected to return to royal duties until the autumn at the earliest.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will spend time at Balmoral this month as their children enjoy the summer holidays.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and her husband Prince Edward arrived at Balmoral this week.