When Princess Diana died in 1997, millions of people across the world tuned in to watch her funeral, with thousands also lining the streets of London to say their farewells. As many gathered to watch Diana’s coffin make its final journey, people could not help but notice the emotions of the royals present, including Prince William and Prince Harry, who solemnly walked behind their late mother.
Although a number of royals attended the funeral on September 6, 1997, someone who was missing was the future Duchess of Edinburgh, who at the time was simply known as Sophie Rhys-Jones, at the time. While she was not married to Prince Edward yet, she had been dating him for some time.
Even though it is believed she would have been more than welcome to attend, a new book has claimed that the Duchess refused for one reason.
This is reportedly because Sophie and Princess Diana, at that time, looked fairly similar, with Sophie worried her appearance may upset some people.
This claim was made in the new book Sophie: Saving the Royal Family by Sean Smith.
Smith wrote: “She (Sophie) had an obvious and reasonable excuse: a friend at the palace explained, ‘Sophie decided it would be too upsetting for the crowd if she went.’
“She’s well aware that she looks like Princess Diana from a distance and made her decision in a caring and thoughtful way. The Royal Family fully supported.'”
It is believed the similarities Sophie and Diana had at the time was their blonde cropped haircuts and their blue eyes.
While they may have looked similar, it is believed Sophie and Diana did not have much else in common, and according to various reports, did not always get on very well.
Andrew Morton previously wrote in his book Diana: In pursuit of Love that Diana reportedly made her disdain clear to Sophie at a dinner.
He claimed Diana once caused Sophie to flee in tears from a family dinner after “staring intensely at her”.
Duchess Sophie has never discussed her relationship with the late princess in detail.