Duchess Sophie makes surprise radio appearance as she recalls personal family moment
Duchess Sophie has offered a glimpse into a memorable family moment at Balmoral, recalling how Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip reacted as they watched Team GB’s women’s hockey team compete for Olympic gold.
The Duchess of Edinburgh is set to make a surprise appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live tomorrow, marking 10 years since the team’s victory at the Rio Olympics.
A preview of the pre-recorded conversation was released on Tuesday, giving listeners a glimpse of Sophie’s memories of watching the dramatic final alongside the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
Sophie watched the Olympic final at Balmoral
Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, had followed the team throughout the tournament. However, watching the final proved challenging because she had to attend dinner while the match was taking place.
Speaking about the experience, Sophie explained that the time difference meant she had to leave the television midway through the game. Despite being at the dinner table, she was desperate to know what was happening and even had someone helping with the dinner service quietly whispering the score to her.
By the time dinner was coming to an end, Sophie was eager to get back to the match.
Eventually, Queen Elizabeth II appeared to recognise just how anxious Sophie was to return to the television.
Sophie recalled the late monarch telling her: “oh for goodness sake, just go!”
The Duchess immediately made her way to the library to watch the remainder of the match.
Prince Philip joined her to watch the game
Sophie then found herself joined by her father-in-law, the late Prince Philip, who she said loved watching good sport.
“He came through and he loved good sport, and he sat down and he was watching it with me,” Sophie recalled.
But Prince Philip appeared to be just as interested in Sophie’s reaction as he was in the match itself.
“In fact, actually, I think he was watching my reaction more than he was watching the television because I was literally living and breathing every moment,” she said.
Sophie admitted she became completely caught up in the action, “leaping up and screaming” as the match unfolded.
At one point, she realised that Queen Elizabeth II was also standing in the doorway watching her reaction.
Queen Elizabeth II struggled with the tension
The final eventually reached the penalty stage, but Sophie recalled that the tension was too much for the late Queen.
“She (the late Queen) was watching the penalties. She couldn’t cope with pressure, she had to take herself away again. She couldn’t cope with it,” Sophie said.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip found Sophie’s reaction amusing and laughed as she watched the decisive moments.
When Team GB finally secured victory, Sophie became emotional and was left “sobbing” as the celebrations began.
The memory offers a personal glimpse of the late Queen and Prince Philip away from their formal royal duties, with Sophie recalling an evening when the family simply became absorbed in the excitement of an Olympic final.
Special BBC Radio 5 Live programme
The complete pre-recorded conversation will be broadcast tomorrow at 9pm on BBC Radio 5 Live as part of a special programme marking 10 years since Team GB’s women’s hockey team won gold at the Rio Olympics.