I knew Sophie's uncle and aunt who she was close to. Over the years she spent a lot of time in our village. I never met her but I knew a lot of people who did and they all had nice things to say about her.
At the time of her wedding her Aunt and Uncle were put up at Royal Lodge, Windsor. I think the QM was living there then. They said it was fabulous, and though they weren't particularly royalist they said the Royal Family, and particularly the Queen, were lovely to them.
I remember her telling me that she was sitting next to the Sultan of Brunei at the wedding breakfast (as you do) and he said the next time you're in Brunei do pop in.