Sophie visited Canada for five days where she is Colonel-in-Chief of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and Patron of two Toronto hospitals, while in October the duchess visited Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward visited Turkey and Bahrain.

But whilst the royal couple’s schedule is packed full of engagements, Mansey said: “it’s other members of the Royal Family who dominate the nation’s Instagram feeds.”

The royal commentator went on to add that Sophie’s importance in the Royal Family was underlined in June when she joined Prince William to meet global conservation leaders at a private screening of RHINO MAN.

She said: “Such a close connection with the heir to the throne, and an equally warm friendship with his wife the Princess of Wales, will no doubt be crucial in the coming years.”

And she stated that while Prince William and Prince Kate are still young, they still have their children to raise, whereas Sophie and Edward still have plenty of spare time on their hands.

“Thank goodness, then, for Edward and Sophie, who share much of the royal burden, often the less glamorous bits,” she added.