Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex were both left in tears at the Queen's funeral today in heartbreaking scenes. The Countess of Wessex, who was regarded as Her Majesty's closest daugher-in-law and was even referred to as her 'second daughter' due to their incredibly close bond. was seen wiping away tears with a tissue.
While her husband, who is the Queen's youngest son, used his white gloves to mop up his tears during a very emotional service. Sophie looked distraught as shed a tear for her late mother-in-law, with the pair having growing amazingly close, particularly after the death of her younger sister Margaret in 2002. They were sat in front of their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, who there to pay their respects to their beloved grandmother.
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The Countess has made a number of public appearances since the Queen's death - and hugged a young royal fan in a touching moment last week.
Sophie and Edward were in Manchester to light a cande in memory of the late monarch at the city's cathedral - as well as viewing the floral tributes in St Ann's Square and the book of condolence at Manchester's Central Library.
She shared a hug with a young royal fan named Josh, who was clutching onto his teddy bear, just before getting in a car to leave.
Speaking to Sky News afterwards, Josh said the heartwarming moment made him feel "happy" - and he also revealed his love for the Queen's handbag and Paddington Bear.
Josh's mum Sue explained what it meant to her son, who is non-verbal, and revealed Sophie had said: "Nice to meet you. Do you want me to take your flowers?"
"It was quite emotional to be honest. I'm trying to hold it all in," explained Sue. "I wanted to lay some flowers but I wasn't expecting Sophie to come over and take them off him. It was a nice moment."
Sophie, who is mother to Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, married Prince Edward in 1999 and the palace announced that the pair would be styled as The Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Edward decided against having a Dukedom like his older brothers - and he refused the Duke of Cambridge title which was later given to Prince William.
The Earldom of Wessex had not been in use since the 11th century, however Edward reportedly asked the Queen to be named after a character called Lord Wessex in his favourite film, Shakespeare in Love.
But there are reports that he could become The Duke of Edinburgh, taking on the title from his brother because he is now King.
The Countess once recalled the moment she and Prince Edward were told Prince Philip would like them to take on the title in an interview with the Telegraph.
She said: "We sat there slightly stunned. He literally came straight in and said, ‘Right. I’d like it very much if you would consider that’."
Earlier this year, Sophie was granted a very special award by the late Queen which showed the level of respect Her Majesty had for her daughter-in-law.
The Countess of Wessex was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John, which is best known for the health organisations it founded and continues to run, including St John Ambulance and St John Eye Hospital Group.
When Sophie is not carrying out her official duties, her main areas of charitable interest include supporting young people with disabilities, eradicating avoidable blindness, agriculture, fashion and the prevention of sexual violence in conflicted areas.
Following the death of Princess Margaret in 2002, Sophie helped to fill the huge hole left by the passing of the Queen's sister.
A royal aide explained to the Daily Mail in 2018: "[The Queen] talks to Sophie in the way she used to talk to Princess Margaret.
"Sophie has filled a terrible gap in the Queen’s life that was left when her sister and the Queen Mother died in 2002."
Another aide said: "She is like another daughter to Her Majesty, they are that close."
Royal Expert Richard Kay wrote: "The Queen and the Countess also share a fascination with military history. Sophie loves listening to the Queen talk about great historical events, and the pair are sometimes gone for hours, pouring over ancient documents in the Royal Archives, which are kept at Windsor Castle.
"When Sophie visited the World War One and World War Two battlefields and cemeteries in France, she told the Queen all about what she had seen and what she felt."
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