As her life drew to a close, she realized that significant changes awaited the monarchy without her steady guidance. King Charles faced this loss with determination. He drew strength from the support of his family as he adjusted to his dual roles as King and Prince of Wales, while Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh took on more responsibilities during his absence.

There was a gentle rivalry between Sophie and Anne for the title of most hard-working royal. Sophie had recently taken the lead in terms of commitments, with Anne trailing far behind. Sources say Sophie is expected to exceed her official engagements this month due to additional commitments in Malta, although her total is still lower than Anne's. Last month, Sophie completed nearly 40 royal duties, compared to Anne's lower tally of 20.

Sophie has emerged as a key asset to the royal family during her absence, and it is understood that Queen Elizabeth has great confidence in her, treating her almost like a daughter. Sophie and Edward have chosen not to give their children HRH titles, and King Charles may grant them the Royal Lodge, currently run by Prince Andrew.

At this year's Trooping the Colour, Lady Louise paid tribute to King Charles by riding alongside her mother and wearing a dress reminiscent of last year's coronation. The appearance hinted at the significance it may have had due to her royal lineage. Princess Anne remained dedicated to her royal duties, drawing on her experiences growing up with an older brother who was the heir apparent.

Her insights were invaluable to King Charles, providing comfort in difficult times and reminding him of the care of his loved ones. Although he faced many challenges in modernizing the monarchy while still respecting its traditions, he knew he had his sister and family to support him.