Philip’s death has left huge hole in our lives, says tearful Sophie

PRINCE Philip’s death has left a “giantsized hole” in the lives of the royal family, a tearful Countess of Wessex revealed today.

Sophie said she expected they would take longer to grieve as the pandemic had “skewed things” and made it more difficult for her to support the Queen.

“It’s only when you would do the normal things that you would have done with them, and you suddenly realise that they are not there, that you really start to have an ‘oh my goodness’ moment,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live as she discussed the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 on April 9.

Since Harry and Meghan moved to the US, senior royals including the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William, Kate, Prince Edward and Sophie have been dubbed the Magnificent Seven.

Asked about her higher profile role by presenter Naga Munchetty, Sophie, 56, said: “There is increased interest in us as a family but, if it raises more awareness of the issues I care about, then that can only be a good thing.”

She spoke about her work supporting victims of rape in war ahead of the UN’s international day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict, on Saturday.

The countess said she hopes to be an advocate for women who do not have a voice, adding that rape is used to subjugate whole communities. “People have to atone for it and that has to start at the top,” she added.

Sophie also spoke about conversations she has with her teenage children, Lady Louise, 17, and Viscount Severn, 13, about consent and inappropriate sexual behaviour.

“I think it’s about having honest, open conversations as a family, but also hopefully in school settings as well,” she added.