8 Loyal Ladies in Queen Elizabeth's Inner Circle

It can't be easy for royals to find friends who can relate to their unique positions and experiences. That's why it's no surprise that the Queen counts foreign royalty among her friends. Princess Sarvath and her husband, Prince Hassan of Jordan, have grown close to Queen Elizabeth, presumably able to connect on a different level over their shared experiences as royalty. Queen Elizabeth has even been a houseguest of the prince and princess! She particularly enjoys the couple's English residence in Wimbledon.

Known more informally as "Penny," Lady Mountbatten is not just a relative of the Queen's, but a member of her family. Lady Mountbatten's semiestranged husband is the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma — and if that surname sounds familiar, it's because it's the family name of Prince Philip. Lady Mountbatten's husband traces his title to his grandfather, Louis Mountbatten, who fans of The Crown might recognise as a significant character in the lives of Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family.

Lady Mountbatten's royal connection originally came from her husband, who attended the boarding school Gordonstoun with Prince Charles. However, she's become a favourite companion for the Queen as well as for Prince Philip, with whom she shares an interest in carriages.

It's the most buzzed-about of the royal friendships: the growing connection between Queen Elizabeth and her newest granddaughter-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex. The Queen apparently finds the duchess's modern perspectives incredibly valuable as the royal family seeks to modernise its image and its relationship to the world at large. Despite the fact that Meghan is divorced, nonroyal, and American, the Queen has been quite supportive of her relationship with Prince Harry.

The two made their public debut together in the Summer of 2018 and instantly made headlines for their adorable rapport. And it doesn't hurt that the Queen's beloved corgis apparently adore Meghan!

The Queen's circle isn't exclusively royalty and nobility. In fact, one of her closest friends is about as socially ordinary as it gets. Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth's longtime assistant and dressmaker, is also one of her closest confidantes. She's a key part of the Queen's daily life and is entrusted with so much of her public appearance. Although she's a "commoner," the Queen is said to enjoy the company of nonaristocrats from the real world just as much as any royalty.

Let's be honest: Queen Elizabeth's children haven't exactly been lucky in marriage. Out of her four children, three ended up divorced (and two remarried), and the divorces were often scandalous. It's no wonder, then, that the Queen's favourite son- or daughter-in-law is the Countess of Wessex, who's married to her youngest son, Prince Edward.

It's not just the lack of scandal that has drawn the Queen to the countess. They share a love for horseback riding and often ride out together, and the Queen is said to appreciate Sophie's straightforward manner.