Personally I believe it. I heard it years ago from a woman who worked for the Queen, and since than I have heard it from many mouths independently.
I have to agree. Maybe not in all particulars (though maybe - it is too human to be too far off), but there is something about the image of the Queen and Queen Mother sitting around - all the females - it just 'sounds' legit, the way women do. Diana may not have been a snob but that would not have been the point of what she was doing - jealousy prods us in strange ways. It all fits.
Sophie is a very attractive woman - the resemblance to Diana is blond hair and good looks. Were Sophie to dress elegantly, maintain a model-like svelte figure and 'work the crowd' and the press with smiles - she'd be another Diana. That she is not 'another Diana' - as popular, as adored, as fussed over - is significant and when analyzed reveals a lot about why 'celebrity' exists with one person and not another. (It has nothing to do with intrinsic 'charisma' or 'worthiness').
Why is Sophie not popular with the British people? Because she married Edward. If she married William she would be the most popular woman in Britain [...]
I agree with your analysis of this couple. You've given me some great insights into why they seem to be so side-lined.
IMO The British people are very susceptible to spin and rumours. They believe tabloid stories.
Its an impression I am getting, as well. As you say elsewhere, its all about whether a Royal is getting 'good press' or 'bad press' - and Edward has definitely gotten consistent 'bad press' ever since he decided he did not want to be a soldier. He also actually worked for a living, had a job, developed his own company. Though Charles has certainly also demonstrated entrepeneurial attributes like Edward, somehow Edward gets belittled and ridiculed, as does Charles but Charles is the Prince of Wales so cannot be side-lined.
The reason I started looking more closely at this couple was precisely because of very cutting and denigrating comments made by some British folks about them. I have come to feel that the British are like the 'in-laws' for the Royal Family - and the litany usually is: not good enough, don't work enough, don't sacrifice enough - who do they think they are? - and on it goes.
I love British people. I adore British intellect. I love British humor. I adore British culture. I love British wit - but man-o-man are the British ever hard on each other. Its more than just toughness, its cutting. I have to remind myself that we may speak the same language and may somewhat resemble each other culturally - but there are serious differences in sensibilities. I'm seeing it especially around the issues of Royalty, but also 'celebrity' and how people are 'held' or seen. Its a significant difference. Interesting.
[...]from what I know of Edward and Sophie and I have been told this by many people, including a European royal, that Edward and Sophie are the best royals in Britain, great people and certainly would be the most popular if people bothered to know them. Our loss I suppose.
I have picked up on that. Edward and Sophie are good friends to European Royalty - one sees them showing up 'as friends' - not official British reps - in many European Royal situations. Here I find someone saying it! When one watches them there is something very centered about them and you sense that here are good people. It is a loss that they are not respected more in their own country IMO.
Diana was not a full cousin to Charles or Sarah. Most of us could probably claim to be a cousin 36 times removed to a cousin 24 times removed! 
