Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is said to be Queen Elizabeth II's most favorite royal. However, a royal author revealed that Her Majesty didn't allow her daughter-in-law and son, Prince Edward, to grant her the title of a princess after they got married in 1999.
When Sophie and Prince Edward got married, Express noted that they wanted to have the new member of the royal family the title of a princess. However, royal biographer Katie Nicholl said that the Queen didn't allow it.
She wrote, in Vanity Fair in 2011, that Sophie wanted to be known as a princess, but her mother-in-law refused it. It would be reportedly an incorrect usage of the royal title. Technically, only the royal women who were born in the royal family should be known as a princess.
Sophie still had the right to use the title because of her relation to her husband, who's the Prince of Wessex, though. However, Nicholl explained that Prince William and Kate Middleton wanted the same title for the Duchess of Cambridge after their marriage.
Although they already had the Duke and Duchess titles, Prince William still wanted to be known as a prince. By default, his wife would be known as a princess. Hence, it would create confusion within the royal hierarchy.
Anyhow, it looked like Sophie didn't mind not carrying the title of a princess. She is the Countess of Wessex, given that Prince Edward is the Earl of Wessex. People also love them for their "low-key approach" to royal life. So, it may be the reason why Sophie is reportedly Queen Elizabeth's most favorite royal.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennifer Bond said in a video on Lorraine, via Evening Standard, that Queen Elizabeth is "very, very fond of Sophie." Opposite to the popular belief that Kate Middleton is Her Royal Highness' favorite, Prince Edward's wife is often seen beside the Monarch.
Anyhow, Bond is convinced that Queen Elizabeth admires the way Kate Middleton is known in the royal circles. She managed to adapt to the job as the future queen consort as early as now. Prince William's wife also receives strong support from the public. "She has a quiet dignity about her, which I think the public is growing to love, and she works behind the scenes," Bond said.
But, compared to Kate Middleton, Sophie is often photographed being close to Queen Elizabeth. Just last Christmas, she sat beside her in a car on the way to the Christmas day service in Sandringham.
