Prince Edward was visibly moved when his wife, the Duchess of Edinburgh, paid tribute to him in a speech to mark his 60th birthday.
Speaking about her ‘lovely’ husband, Duchess Sophie said he was ‘the best father, the most loving husband and yet…my best friend’.
The couple were in Leeds, West Yorkshire, today for a public engagement ahead of the royal family’s historic birthday on Sunday.
Edward, who was made Duke of Edinburgh by the king last year, was presented with a cake in the shape of a ‘real tennis court’ with images of himself and his wife, who he met through sport.
But the biggest surprise was a speech from his wife Sophie, 59, with whom he will celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary in June.
The prince looked deeply emotional as she spoke from the heart about her love for her husband, saying: “I am so proud of the man he is.”
Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh shared a sweet moment as they hugged after a speech she gave on the occasion of her husband’s birthday
Prince Edward appeared to wipe away tears as his wife, the Duchess of Edinburgh, paid tribute to him
She said, “If I may, I ask for your indulgence for a few minutes as I also wanted to take this opportunity to recognize another major milestone and pay a small tribute to my dear husband as he celebrates his Celebrating 60th anniversary.
‘Now I know from the many years we have been married, 25 years in June to be precise, that he will be shocked to see me here talking about him in public.
‘Without looking at him, I suspect he will now be sitting back with slightly squinted eyes, possibly with his arms folded, or with one arm extended across the table, looking every bit identical to his father when I gave speeches on it.’
The Duke of Edinburgh looked delighted as he carried his giant 60th birthday cake
The royal couple stood together in nearly matching suits as they cut the prince’s birthday cake
The Duke of Edinburgh looked visibly moved as he listened to Sophie’s words during her speech
Edward’s emotion was clear to see as Sophie paid tribute to him as her ‘best friend’ and said he was the ‘best dad’
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was today joined by her husband Prince Edward as they headed to a Community Sport and Recreation Awards in Leeds
The late queen’s youngest son, 59, and his wife beamed as they entered Headingley Stadium
The couple are expected to take the lead this week as Queen Camilla takes a well-deserved break from public engagements after stepping in for King Charles as he continues cancer treatment.
She said speaking about the late Duke of Edinburgh in his presence was like “launching myself from a plane without a parachute but clinging to the faint hope of a soft landing”.
“You have to realize that my father-in-law never liked anyone complimenting him because he believed that the organizations he supported were important, not himself,” he said.
Edward, she explained, held the same beliefs, but she was determined “to give you a better understanding of the man I am so proud to be married to.”
She paid tribute to his work at the Duke of Edinburgh Awards organisation, as well as to charities, particularly in the sporting field, across the Commonwealth.
The Princess of Wales continues to be out of the royal action as she recovers from abdominal surgery, while William and Princess Anne are also supporting The Firm at various events
For a touch of glamour, Sophie, who was often referred to as the Queen’s favorite daughter-in-law, added a simple silver necklace and small hoop earrings
She wore her hair loose and stylishly blow-dried and opted for a natural makeup look
“I encourage you to take a look through his resume of relationships and marvel at the breadth of it, all doing their part to make our world a better place, and understand that he is not just a name on a piece of paper is, but he is committed to all of them and cares deeply about each of them,” she said.
The Duchess also highlighted his military ties, adding flirtatiously: ‘Not only does I think he wears a uniform exceptionally well, he takes a huge interest in their vital work and loves nothing more than to get offline and spend happy hours with to talk. one with those who do so much to serve our country.”
She added: “He has been my guide and shown me the way over the years. He has given me a lot of help and advice (not always adopted, I admit), and his knowledge and instincts, honed over decades of service, are invaluable – so we share speech notes (not these, sorry dear! ), we talk about problems our patronages can tackle, and together I think we make a pretty good team.
until Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh smile as they arrive for the Community Sport and Recreation Award
Sophie looked typically stylish for a day out in Leeds
Sophie added a pop of color with the striped top
The pair are performing in Charles and Kate’s absence
‘Like an iceberg, what is visible above water or in public is only a small part of what happens behind the scenes. What is never seen or can ever be quantified are the efforts spent ensuring good governance for its patrons, encouraging people to support worthy causes, chairing committees, meeting with top executives and think tanks, writing of papers, speeches, forewords, introductions, and so on. on.
‘But whatever he does, he gives 150% of himself, and when all else fails, he gives the energy he has left to our exhausted dogs or to polluting the garden.
‘Like my father-in-law, my husband never seeks compliments for himself. So when recognition came his way, it was always a total surprise to him. That’s why I’m grateful for this opportunity to celebrate and compliment him publicly for once.”
The Duchess said Edward was “so happy and humbled” when his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, made him a Knight of the Garter in 2006.
She added that he was equally delighted and moved on the day His Majesty the King – whom we are both incredibly proud to support – appointed him Duke of Edinburgh. ‘
Sophie raved: “He deserves both equally and I am so proud of the man he is.
He is the best father, the most loving husband and still my best friend.
So here’s to you, my dear Edward, and may I join all your family and so many friends and…
many others wish you the happiest birthday!
The couple were at Headingley Stadium in Leeds to attend the Sports and Recreation Alliance Community Sport and Recreation Awards, where they met some of the female players from Leeds Rhinos.
Edward is chairman of the SRA, a role he took over from Prince Philip in 2009.