The Queen Considers This Royal Trustworthy, But It’s Not Kate Middleton Or Meghan Markle

She has a number of advisors and an extensive family of famous faces to turn to who will always be seemingly eager to do whatever she asks of them. However, despite a cast of senior royals to turn to, a new report alleges that Queen Elizabeth actually finds one junior member of the family to be more trustworthy—and relies on them the most.

According to the Sun (via the Daily Mirror), Queen Elizabeth has a very close relationship with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and she often looks to her for companionship and other issues when she seeks help as a result.

A source told the publication that the Countess, who is married to the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, is often asked to join the Queen in her car when they head to church during mutual stays at Sandringham or Balmoral, and this is done because she has a soothing effect on the Queen.

“The Queen likes to be completely calm before church and she finds Sophie’s presence soothing,” a source said.

The trust is likely there, the source indicated not only because Sophie turned down a career as a working royal when she wed Prince Edward, but because Edward is her only child who is still married to their original spouse, and she likely knows “that is in no small way down to Sophie’s dedication” the source said.

The trust she has in her is so great in fact, that reports previously stated the Queen asked her for help when it came to guiding Meghan Markle through the growing pains of royal life, and she “earmarked” to serve as a mentor for the new Duchess. She also reportedly served a similar role when it came time for Middleton to be introduced into the royal family as well.

As a result, Middleton now seems to mirror Sophie when it comes to the way she expresses herself at outings.

“Many of the poses of the two women together show Sophie face-checking Kate with quite strong bouts of watchful-looking eye contact to suggest she’s taking a semi-maternal approach,” body language expert Judi James said previously. “She also has raised eyebrows and what’s called a ‘pinging’ smile that implies she wants to ensure Kate is enjoying herself.”