Sophie, formerly the Countess of Wessex, was given a new title after her husband Prince Edward was promoted to Duke of Edinburgh on Friday.

Previously Sophie was duty-bound to curtsy to the Duchess of Sussex as the latter was a higher rank.

However, sources close to her say she is “relieved” this is no longer the case.

A friend of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh told the Mail on Sunday: “Sophie is relieved. She no longer has to curtsy to someone in the family who has not only left Royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support.”

The King made his brother Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday on Friday as a reward for his loyal service to the crown.

The title will not be hereditary and on his death will revert to the sovereign.

The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh made their first appearance in the city whose name they now bear on Friday when they attended an engagement at the City Chambers to mark the first year of the conflict in Ukraine.

They also greeted well-wishers on the Royal Mile.

The prestigious title of Duke of Edinburgh, which was first created in 1726, was given to Prince Philip by Queen Elizabeth when they married in 1947.

Edward was exceptionally close to his father and in his later years took on much of his work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.

When he and Sophie married in 1999 it was announced that the dukedom would pass to Edward after Philip’s death.