The Princess of Wales shared a sweet greeting with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, at a special carol service.
Their unique bond was evidenced when Kate Middleton, 42, approached Sophie for a touching kiss at the royals’ fourth annual Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey on December 6.
For the princess, it was her most important public engagement since completing preventive chemotherapy treatment and after a very grueling year amid her shocking cancer announcement in March.
Once Kate saw the duchess, 59, she embraced her with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek, a fitting greeting for the royal who has given her unwavering, maternal support in her time of need.
The couple looked in their element as they reunited, as the princess continued to show her closeness to the Duchess by placing a hand on her shoulder.
They were a stylish duo for sore eyes, with Kate sporting a chic red Alexander McQueen coat with a statement black bow; and Sophie opted for a bohemian-style floral dress and a wintery white jacket.
It seems the mother-of-two, who was present without her husband Prince Edward, shares a bond with Kate that extends to fashion, as her sublime appearance seemed to emulate the Princess’ style.
Given that the pair have become undeniably close over the past 13 years, perhaps it’s expected that they’ll start mirroring each other’s style.
The Princess of Wales shared a sweet kiss with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, at a special carol service (Both pictured)
Sophie paired her stylish look with brown boots and a white bag, along with bright makeup and blonde locks that were kept loose with a slight curl at the end.
Meanwhile, Kate paired her festive red look with a pair of black Ralph Lauren boots, while her signature brunette locks were styled in loose waves for the occasion.
And just as Sophie has sometimes turned to the princess for fashion inspiration, lately Kate has turned to the duchess for help in both her duties and her personal affairs.
Since marrying into the Royal Family 25 years ago, the Duchess of Edinburgh has proven to be one of the Firm’s key figures, but lately she has stepped up in a different way, especially for Kate.
The festive period has been a busy time, but the Duchess of Edinburgh has been working hard to attend a number of engagements in recent weeks.
Whether singing Christmas carols or making mince pies, Sophie hasn’t shied away from stepping up, while Princess Kate has gradually returned to her duties following cancer treatment.
In November, the duchess showed her caring side when she warmly hugged a Yazidi survivor while attending a photography exhibition.
Then earlier this month, Sophie wore a glamorous dress and attended the State of Qatar Banquet at Buckingham Palace with other royals.
The duchess turned up to support the princess in an elegant bohemian floral dress and winter white jacket.
Their unique bond was evidenced when Kate, 42, approached Sophie to give her a touching hug at the royals’ fourth annual Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey on December 6.
Days later, the Duchess of Edinburgh joined the festivities during a visit to the Bagshot Women’s Institute and made decorations.
While at the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey, Sophie was alongside the Princess of Wales, and the following week was dedicated to Christmas fun with the Disability Initiative charity and singing carols.
He even found time to visit The Lighthouse Charity in Woking yesterday.
And on November 27, Sophie attended the ‘The Women Who Defeated ISIS’ photo exhibition at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The event was organized by Farida Global, which supports survivors of genocide and victims of conflict and religious persecution.
During her visit, Sophie met Awaz Abdi and shared a tender moment with the Yazidi survivor. He put his arm around the young woman to support her as they walked, deep in conversation.
Since the pair have become undeniably close over the past 13 years, perhaps it’s expected that they’ll start mirroring each other’s impeccable style.
The carol service was attended by other members of the Royal Family, including her husband and children. (Pictured left to right: Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Princess of Wales and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 in London)
The Duchess also took time to look at portraits of other Yazidi women who had been held captive by ISIS and suffered terrible horrors.
Less than a week later, Sophie was busy attending Qatar’s state banquet and stunned in an elegant black dress.
She accompanied Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi and wore the aquamarine tiara of Wessex.
Other royals in attendance included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince William, Sir Timothy Laurence, Duchess of Gloucester and Sophie’s husband Prince Edward.
Kate was not present at the banquet, but greeted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikh Jawaher, at Horse Guards Parade in London. He also joined them for a private lunch at Buckingham Palace later that day.
Their sisterly bond was also seen when Sophie joined Kate on the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where they watched the Remembrance Sunday service unfold.
Sophie has provided unwavering support to Kate, and the two have forged a close bond over the past decade (pictured, left to right: Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Charlotte, Princess Anne, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis and Prince William at the king’s coronation, May 6, 2023)
Their sisterly bond was also seen when Sophie joined Kate on the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where they watched the Remembrance Sunday service unfold.
When they came into public view, the princess hinted to her husband’s aunt that she was feeling overwhelmed, reportedly telling her, “You’re never prepared for this…”
After reassuring the princess, the Duchess of Edinburgh placed a supportive, “motherly” hand on the future queen’s back as they walked back inside following the two-minute silence, which was broadcast live to the nation.
The two women, who come from similar middle-class backgrounds, have formed an undeniably close bond over 13 years.
In the early days of Kate’s relationship with Prince William, insiders claimed that Sophie offered to help guide the Princess of Wales as she began her royal journey.
After marrying Prince William in 2011, the Princess of Wales is said to have found a “mentor” in Sophie.
After losing her own mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, to stomach cancer in 2005, when she was just 71, Sophie had started affectionately calling the Queen “mum”.
According to royal biographer Claudia Joseph, the queen suggested that the then Countess of Wessex, who had become her “second daughter”, take the new duchess under her wing.