Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 56, has been a working member of the Firm since 2002 but has been catapulted into the limelight since Meghan Markle, 39, and Prince Harry's exit from the Royal Family last year, after which she and husband Prince Edward, 56, have taken on more royal responsibilities.

       Sophie is said to be Queen Elizabeth II's, 95, favourite daughter in law for her enduring marriage to Edward when the Queen's other children have all gone through divorces.

       The Countess and Edward live up the road from Windsor Castle and are thought to be among the Queen's most frequent visitors.

       They were the first royals to speak out in the wake of Prince Philip's death in April - a sure sign they are deeply trusted by the Queen.

       In recent months the Wessexes have given a series of exclusive interviews in which they have opened up about how the family are coping in the wake of the Duke of Edinburgh's death.

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       They have also spoken about their wish to continue his legacy - Edward is due to inherit the Duke of Edinburgh title one day.

       A key part of Sophie's royal work is raising awareness around the issue of sexual violence against women as a weapon of conflict and she has represented the Queen on several important trips abroad.

       Sophie is a huge hit with royal fans and Express.co.uk has rounded up five photos taken since the start of 2021 that show she really is the Royal Family's rising star.

       Sophie took the lead and spoke to journalists in Windsor just days after Philip's death in April.

       She was accompanied by her husband Edward and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 17, to a memorial church service held in the Duke's honour.

       Despite their obvious grief, Sophie and Edward both spoke eloquently about how the family were doing.

       Sophie shone as she attended several days of Royal Ascot 2021.

       The five-day horseracing festival is known to be the Queen's favourite event of the year but was closed to the public in 2020 because of the pandemic.

       The Countess was among a number of senior royals to stand in for the Queen during Royal Ascot this year, as the COVID-19 crisis meant the 95-year-old only made an appearance on the final day.

       Sophie and Edward joined the Queen in Scotland for Royal Week 2021.

       The Wessexes hold the subsidiary Scottish titles of Countess and Earl of Forfar.

       They paid homage to the Scottish town with a royal visit during which the Countess tried her hand at playing golf.

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       Sophie was handed a new patronage by lesser-known royal Princess Alexandra, 84, earlier this month.

       The pair carried out a joint visit to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to open their new southwest regional centre and celebrate the charity's 90th anniversary.

       Alexandra had been patron of the charity since 1954 but formally handed over the role to Sophie during the engagement.

       Sophie stunned in stylish country attire as she stepped out for Royal Windsor Horse Show earlier this month.

       As well as taking part in a carriage driving meeting, the Countess attended the event with her family on a separate day.

       Photos of Sophie, Edward and their daughter Louise at the event show them looking regal and relaxed in one another's company.