Inside Kate Middleton's Friendship With Sophie Wessex

Kate Middleton became an official part of the royal family when she married Prince William in 2011. Over the years, Kate has built strong relationships with some members of the royal family, and is even thought to consider some of them friends. While Kate is very close to her sister, Pippa Middleton, she also has some very strong friendships, some of which date back to her college days, according to Hello! magazine. There is one person in particular, however, that Kate has gotten very close to, and that's Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. Sophie is married to Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, Prince Edward, and is Prince William's aunt. 

Although there is a bit of an age difference between Kate and Sophie, the two are said to get along swimmingly — and their friendship dates back several years. Back in April, Showbiz Cheatsheet reported that the two women had really "grown closer in the past year." The site indicates that Kate and Sophie bonded amid the drama that has been going on involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — and that they've been talking a lot more frequently following Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey. Showbiz Cheatsheet goes on to report that Sophie has become a "close confidant" of the Duchess of Cambridge. Keep reading to learn more about Kate and Sophie's interesting friendship — and what one expert had to say about it.

Kate Middleton and Sophie Wessex have attended several events together over the years. Back in July, a body language expert told Express that it appears as though the two women have a very "powerful" relationship. "Sophie and Kate communicate in a very engaged and friendly way," Judi James told the outlet. Looking at a picture of Kate and Sophie together, the expert noted that "Sophie actually leans across to speak to Kate and her eye expressions form a powerful tie-sign that suggests keen engagement and a very close relationship."

In an interview with The Sun in September, James shared some additional information on the bond that Kate and Sophie share. She noted that the two seem to have a lot of fun when they are together, and even suggested that they have often shared quite a few laughs, even perhaps saying some "naughty" things from time to time. Interestingly, both women have also gotten closer to Queen Elizabeth this year as well, according to another report from The Sun. The two women have reportedly stepped up to help fill the void in the queen's life after the death of Prince Philip.