Sophie Wessex shuts down suggestion she will fill Meghan Markle's shoes in the royal family

Sophie Wessex has rejected a suggestion she may fill Meghan Markle's shoes in the royal family.

• Sophie Wessex has reportedly rejected suggestions she could step up to fulfil Meghan Markle's royal duties since she and Prince Harry left the UK.
• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left their roles as senior members of the royal family back in 2020, moving to LA to begin a more private life.
• This royal news (opens in new tab) comes after it was reported that Prince William had lost his closet royal team member (opens in new tab).

The Countess of Wessex is married to the Queen's youngest son Prince Edward and is a full time working royal.

She splits her time between duties to support the Queen and a variety of charity work and is thought to be in the Her Majesty's new 'Firm of Eight' (opens in new tab) for 2021.

However Sophie has rejected suggestions she may step up to fill the shoes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who left their roles as senior members of the royal family last year.

Since leaving The Firm, the royal couple have moved to Los Angeles with their one-year-old son Archie, beginning new projects as a financially independent duo, striking deals with Netflix and launching a podcast with Spotify.

While speaking to journalist Christina Lamb for the Sunday Times Magazine the Countess was asked about the prospect of taking on the royal duties that Harry and Meghan left behind.

She was quick to hint that she has no plan to take on their work, being busy with her own right now.

She is understood to have said, "We’ve all got our own little portfolios. I don’t see anything changing, but if we’re asked to do more… I don’t know because it hasn’t really happened.

"I am pretty busy already, so I’m not sure how much more I can do. There are only so many hours in the day. People may pay more attention to what I am doing, but I remain as busy as I have ever been."

While it appears Sophie isn't keen to pick up the work of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, she's still certainly in the Queen's good books.

Her Majesty wished Sophie, who shares Lady Louise Windsor, 17, and 13-year-old James, Viscount Severn with Prince Edward, a happy birthday this week when she turned 56.

A sweet post on The Royal Family Instagram page read, '🎈🎂 Wishing The Countess of Wessex a very happy birthday today!'

Royal fans were sure to show their love and admiration for the Countess, too.

'Happy birthday to one of the most underrated Royals ❤️,' one wrote.

'A very happy birthday to Her Royal Highness. She is so humble and loving person. ❤️,' another commented.