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Sophie: Saving the Royal Family: the new 2025 biography of the Duchess of Edinburgh by bestselling author Sean Smith
Sophie has become the figure within the family who is the comforter to its members and a reassuring and inspiring presence for the country. She is a modern woman and yet a throwback to happier Royal times.
She is now the 'glue that binds'.
During some of the darkest days of the Royal Family, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has quietly risen to become the respected and much-loved face of a family in turmoil.
In this inspiring biography, bestselling author Sean Smith tells the remarkable story of Sophie Rhys-Jones; a young woman with a winning smile who captured the heart of a Prince and, subsequently, the nation.
From her fun-filled days in rural Kent and nervous beginnings at the Palace, to becoming a powerful voice on world issues and being acclaimed as a 'trailblazer' by Hillary Clinton; this is an intimate portrait of a woman who has made significant achievements while enduring the pressures of life as a wife, mother and Royal. Whether it's keeping important secrets, navigating tabloid exposés or surviving near-death experiences, Sophie has done so with dignity and strength.
Inside, discover the secret of Sophie's long-lasting love for Prince Edward; the unshakeable bond she had with the late Queen; her great friendship with the future Queen, Kate; and her frosty relationship with Princess Diana. And how, while the Royal Family gathers itself after the deaths of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; the cancer battles of King Charles and the Princess of Wales; amid a media obsession with Harry and Meghan - not to mention Prince Andrew - it is Sophie who is saving the day.
During some of the darkest days of the Royal Family, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has quietly risen to become the respected and much-loved face of a family in turmoil.
In this inspiring biography, bestselling author Sean Smith tells the remarkable story of Sophie Rhys-Jones; a young woman with a winning smile who captured the heart of a Prince and, subsequently, the nation.
From her fun-filled days in rural Kent and nervous beginnings at the Palace, to becoming a powerful voice on world issues and being acclaimed as a 'trailblazer' by Hillary Clinton; this is an intimate portrait of a woman who has made significant achievements while enduring the pressures of life as a wife, mother and Royal. Whether it's keeping important secrets, navigating tabloid exposés or surviving near-death experiences, Sophie has done so with dignity and strength.
Inside, discover the secret of Sophie's long-lasting love for Prince Edward; the unshakeable bond she had with the late Queen; her great friendship with the future Queen, Kate; and her frosty relationship with Princess Diana. And how, while the Royal Family gathers itself after the deaths of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; the cancer battles of King Charles and the Princess of Wales; amid a media obsession with Harry and Meghan - not to mention Prince Andrew - it is Sophie who is saving the day.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2025
9 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Sean Smith
98 books58 followersSean Smith is the UK’s leading celebrity biographer and the author of the number one bestseller Cheryl, as well as bestselling books about Tom Jones, Robbie Williams and Kate Middleton.
His books about the most famous people of our times has been translated throughout the world. His subjects include Adele, Kim Kardashian, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston and J.K. Rowling. The film Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story was based on his biography of the Harry Potter author.
Described by the Independent as a ‘fearless chronicler’, he specialises in meticulous research, going ‘on the road’ to find the real person behind the star image.
His books about the most famous people of our times has been translated throughout the world. His subjects include Adele, Kim Kardashian, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston and J.K. Rowling. The film Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story was based on his biography of the Harry Potter author.
Described by the Independent as a ‘fearless chronicler’, he specialises in meticulous research, going ‘on the road’ to find the real person behind the star image.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 13, 2025
Bit of a snoozefest. Sophie is a Nice Lady and their life stories don’t make for riveting reads!
One error on p. 172 of the hardback edition. Lady Louise was born in 2003, not 2005.
The whole Harry and Meghan saga is glossed over quickly. Photos of Sophie with the couple at the 2020 Commonwealth Day service told me more than this biography ever did about her true feelings.
We’re told that Sophie and Kate are very close, but it’s never expanded upon beyond saying they often talk about clothing and children. Twice the author makes mention of the way Sophie’s voice isn’t “constrained by being too posh, strangling her words and sounding as if her vowels were stuck in her front teeth.” Reading between the lines, it’s obvious he’s comparing her accent to Kate’s, which makes me wonder just how close the two really are.
This book would be ideal for someone new to the British Royal Family, but there’s nothing new here for the rest of us.
One error on p. 172 of the hardback edition. Lady Louise was born in 2003, not 2005.
The whole Harry and Meghan saga is glossed over quickly. Photos of Sophie with the couple at the 2020 Commonwealth Day service told me more than this biography ever did about her true feelings.
We’re told that Sophie and Kate are very close, but it’s never expanded upon beyond saying they often talk about clothing and children. Twice the author makes mention of the way Sophie’s voice isn’t “constrained by being too posh, strangling her words and sounding as if her vowels were stuck in her front teeth.” Reading between the lines, it’s obvious he’s comparing her accent to Kate’s, which makes me wonder just how close the two really are.
This book would be ideal for someone new to the British Royal Family, but there’s nothing new here for the rest of us.
Displaying 1 of 1 review