Sophie Wessex wanted a 'bigger role in The Firm' it's claimed - but these senior members of the Royal Family took the limelight

• Sophie Wessex wanted a 'bigger role in The Firm' it's been claimed by a royal expert.
• The Countess of Wessex is said to have been overshadowed by senior royals which meant her work was often overlooked.
• In other royal news, Prince Charles gives up beloved home ahead of becoming king

Sophie Wessex is said to have wanted a 'bigger role in The Firm' but was overshadowed by senior royals, according to a royal expert.

The countess of Wessex, who is married to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, has been hailed a 'rising star' who is set to pave her royal path in 2021.

Royal expert Phil Dampier has said 'rising star' Sophie's 'time has come', telling the Express, "I think Sophie was always willing to take a bigger role, but she was overshadowed by more senior royals."

It comes as the Queen forms a 'New Firm' of eight senior royals, which includes, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Edward, the Countess of Wessex, Princess Anne and the Queen.

The mother of two, to daughter Lady Louise, 17, and son James Viscount Severn, 13, has been quietly volunteering throughout the Coronavirus pandemic but her volunteering could be set to take centre stage in coming months.

READ MORE: Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor attended Christmas Day church service - but where was the Queen?

He admitted that he thinks Sophie has a bigger profile than that of her husband Edward, with whom she lives with at their family home at Bagshot Park.

Sophie has been at the forefront of the Royal Family's response to the global crisis, but doing her work in a quiet way, out of the spotlight.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty declared the Countess a 'royal key worker,' and added, "She is making a difference in a very understated, very "Sophie" way."

And others have praised her low-key approach.

"These are private visits done in her own private time. When she leaves our kitchens, she generally then goes on to do more projects in different hospitals," Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, of Bentley's Entertainment told PEOPLE magazine.

READ MORE: Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward could spend lockdown apart from daughter Lady Louise

Meanwhile, Earlier this year, Phil admitted Sophie would be a safe pair of hands to take over the responsibilities that can no longer be carried out by Harry, Meghan and Andrew.

He added, "She is very close to Her Majesty and is a favourite of hers. Recently she has been on several overseas trips and done fantastically well. Now that her children are a bit older I think there could be a great role for her to play. She is 55 today and she is very fit and full of energy. 

"I think she wants to do more and would happily step up to the plate and take over more duties if asked.'