Sophie Wessex has ‘very big shoes to fill’ as Queen announces her prestigious new role

Sophie Wessex now has “very big shoes to fill” according to fans who were quick to express their excitement as the Queen announced her prestigious new role.

• The Countess of Wessex has received a major new appointment as she took over one of the Duke of Edinburgh’s significant roles. 
• Royal fans were quick to comment on the handover of this position as some claimed the late Duke would be “delighted”.  
• This royal news comes as it was revealed Mia Tindall wore a Royal Family hand-me-down as the young royals joked around during Prince Philip's memorial service. 

As a member of the extended Royal Family, the Countess of Wessex has long held a huge number of important roles and royal patronages. Now she has added to that number with a significant appointment as the Queen announced her daughter-in-law will take over one of Prince Philip’s former positions. 

The late Duke of Edinburgh had a keen interest in engineering throughout his life, something that has previously been commented on by his and the Queen’s children. And for over 50 years he was the proud Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME).

Now this hugely prestigious role has been taken over by Sophie Wessex, almost a year after the Duke of Edinburgh passed away at Windsor Castle leaving her devastated. 

The announcement was made by the Queen via the Royal Family’s official social media accounts as they remarked that the position previously combined Prince Philip’s fascination with engineering and “enduring support of the Armed Forces”. To mark her new role Sophie received REME’s Master General, Colonel and Corps Adjutant on March 30th. 

The delighted Countess opted for a stunning plum-toned maxi dress and elegant gold necklace as she was pictured alongside her distinguished guests. Whilst the history behind the role couldn’t have been clearer as they also shared a sweet snap of a beaming Prince Philip surrounded by servicemen. 

Fans were quick to remark upon the transfer of this role from the Duke to his daughter-in-law as they remarked upon the “big shoes” Sophie has to fill. 

“The Countess of Wessex has some very big shoes to fill. But, she will do so with dignity and grace”, one fan declared, reflecting on the legacy of Prince Philip and Sophie rising to the challenge of his former role. 

“Wow Sophie Wessex looks absolutely gorgeous 😍 I’m so happy for her , she took over the role of prince Philip 😢 so well deserved 👏❤️🙌”, a second person commented.

Meanwhile someone else expressed their belief that her late father-in-law would have been thrilled by the appointment, stating, “Well deserved the duke would be delighted”.

“Yay, Sophie! Love seeing her representing the family’s legacy with pride and commitment. 🙌”, a fellow fan shared. 

The Countess is understood to have been incredibly close with the Duke and Prince Philip and Sophie’s special connection has often attracted the attention of fans and commentators. 

Royal expert Ingrid Seward previously told The Times that he would’ve been pleased to see Sophie Wessex in the spotlight taking on more responsibilities.

"It’s what Prince Philip would have wanted, and now he is gone, doing what he would have wanted keeps his memory alive,” she claimed.