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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Milica Cosic

'Slimmed down' Royal Family leaves question mark over Edward and Sophie, expert says

Despite being the Queen 's 'favourite' questions have been raised about Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward 's future within the monarchy.

They have a "big question mark" over their upcoming roles within the Royal Family, a royal expert has claimed.

In spite of Sophie earning the title of the Queen's "favourite", and Prince Edward being tipped to become the next Duke of Edinburgh once older brother Prince Charles takes the throne, a lot remains undecided.

While the couple grow in popularity, under Charles' reign, the times ahead are unclear.

The royal couple couple has been increasing their royal engagements recently and in June, they visited Northern Ireland. (Getty Images)

And, royal experts have discussed just this.

Speaking on the latest episode of Daily Express' Royal Round-Up, royal correspondent Richard Palmer took to comment on the Earl and Countess of Wessex's destiny within The Firm.

Mr Palmer told host Pandora Forsyth: "The other big question mark is over Edward and Sophie.

"Many people had assumed that they would have a role."

The couple two children, a daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, and a son, James Viscount Severn. (Getty Images)

He claimed that, according to a royal source, there was an assumption that "there would be no role for any of the non-working members of the Royal Family under King Charles".

He added that this would "include [Princess] Anne".

But, Mr Palmer suggested that the roles would "depend on timing".

Speaking on Prince Edward and Sophie - who got married on June 19, 1999 - Mr Palmer then continued to say: "When they got married, it was made clear that the Queen's intention was for Edward to inherit the title of Duke of Edinburgh, after his father's death."

However, he added that "that title has gone back to the Crown, I think".

"It is, by no means, certain what's going to happen", he concluded.

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