The Duchess of Edinburgh has addressed her frequent portrayal as the monarchy's "secret weapon".
Sophie acknowledged that with fewer working royals, her visibility has increased.
The royal said during her recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina: "I like to fly under the radar. It's all very well being a secret weapon but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret."
The 60-year-old expressed bemusement at the media label, stating: "I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment. I don't see myself in a frontline position per se.
"That said admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next!"
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|The Duchess of Edinburgh has addressed her frequent portrayal as the monarchy's "secret weapon".
She added: "I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next!"
Sophie also discussed the profound personal significance of becoming Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023, a title previously held by the late Queen.
The Duchess told the Mirror: "First of all, it was quite large shoes to fill, because not as many of the population alive today will remember but the Queen was the Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married."
She added: "For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes, it felt like quite a big moment."
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|Sophie acknowledged that with fewer working royals, her visibility has increased.
Sophie also disclosed her attachment to her previous title, revealing she "quite liked" being the Countess of Wessex before assuming the historic Edinburgh designation.
The royal also outlined her practical philosophy towards royal service, emphasising her supporting role to the monarch.
She said: "Being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen, and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role."
Her preference for maintaining a lower profile enables her to balance official duties with personal pursuits whilst remaining available for significant diplomatic missions.
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|The Duchess made these reflections during a three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she represented King Charles at commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.
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The Duchess made these reflections during a three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she represented King Charles at commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.
The diplomatic mission provided the backdrop for Sophie's unusually frank discussion about her evolving role within the monarchy.
Her comments came as she fulfilled one of the significant international duties that exemplify her position as a trusted representative of the Crown.
Sophie received the Duchess of Edinburgh title in March 2023 when her husband Edward was created Duke of Edinburgh.
The title had been held by Queen Elizabeth II from 1947 until her accession to the throne in 1952.