Kate Middleton is more like ‘sisters' with THIS Royal

Kate Middleton is heavily relying on Sophie Wessex as she recovers through cancer.

The Princess of Wales, who skipped Royal Ascot Day two this week on a last minute’s notice, is leaning on great friend and aunt, Sophie.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror: "There seems to be a real friendship between Sophie and Catherine. It's hard to think of them as aunt and niece. They seem much more like sisters or cousins."

"I think Sophie has been able to offer Catherine a huge amount of advice over the years – not just about how to fit into this very elite family, but also about how to juggle a hectic working life with bringing up children.

She notes: "And I suspect that Sophie has been a great comfort to Catherine (and indeed to William) during the past very difficult 18 months. Sophie went through some alarming health scares during childbirth and would have been a shoulder to cry on if Catherine felt the need.

"When you join the royal family, it must be rather like subscribing to a secret society. There are so few people you can trust, so few friends you can confidently confide in. I'm sure Catherine has always felt that Sophie is a safe pair of hands and someone she can easily trust - and visa versa,” says the expert.