He has a famous title and is the king’s brother: Prince Edward is one of the most important royals. But even on his 60th birthday, he is largely overshadowed by his siblings.
The Duke of Edinburgh recently had to deal with a record holder. On the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, Prince Edward met the tortoise Jonathan – at officially 191 years old, probably the oldest animal on earth. But since the sensational visit to the British overseas territory, the youngest brother of King Charles III. barely visible.
Prince Edward celebrates his 60th birthday
Most recently, Edward missed a big memorial ceremony for the last Greek King Constantine II at Windsor Castle – he was on a skiing holiday with his wife Sophie. This Sunday Edward turns 60 years old.
The long public pause on the 14th in line to the British throne was hardly noticeable, say scofflaws. The youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II is considered the most inconspicuous member of the Royal Family, a representative of the “still there” category. Many people still see him as a man without any particular peculiarities, as boring, but who at least doesn’t have any scandals – in contrast to his third brother, Prince Andrew, or even the king himself.
Wife Sophie has been more present in recent years, attending numerous online appointments during the pandemic and was considered the Queen’s confidant in her mother-in-law’s final months.
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Germany and St. Helena
That didn’t change too much when Edward took over the title of Duke of Edinburgh from his father, Prince Philip, who died in 2021. A visit to Germany in May 2023 gave the impression that he was intended to have a more prominent role in the royal family in the future. But with the exception of the meeting with Jonathan on St. Helena, where Napoleon once died in exile, not much has been remembered since then.
The royal family needs every member right now. The Royal Family was “understaffed,” said the Times newspaper last week. The king, who is suffering from cancer, and his daughter-in-law Princess Kate, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, will be out for a long time. Heir to the throne Prince William canceled the important family memorial service for Constantine at short notice for personal reasons – and Edward and Sophie went skiing.
“Second team”
It was Queen Camilla’s turn to lead the royals. It was all the more noticeable that Charles and Edward’s disgraced brother Andrew was there – and grinned inappropriately broadly on the way to church, as the media criticized. The Royal Family currently has to play with the second team, “Guardian” columnist Marina Hyde drew a comparison to football.
Edward actually closes a gap in the family structure. In terms of age, he is roughly between the king and his heir to the throne. After William and Kate, Edward and Sophie are the youngest “working royals” who attend official appointments on behalf of the family. Their children Lady Louise and James, who took over the title of Earl of Wessex from his father, usually grow up away from the public and are only seen at the most important royal events.
Streamlining the monarchy was one of King Charles’ first actions after taking office. The scandal-ridden brother Andrew and the younger son Prince Harry, who is at loggerheads with the rest of the family, were definitely left out. But the recent health failures make it clear that there could also be a risk for the institution. “I have to be seen so that people believe in me,” was Queen Elizabeth II’s famous motto. Since her death, this has been even more true for all of her descendants – including Edward.
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Order for Prince Edward
The king gave him a special birthday present: Charles had appointed him to the Order of the Thistle, Buckingham Palace announced. Inclusion in the “Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle” is considered Scotland’s highest honor. The thistle is considered the national flower of the northernmost part of the United Kingdom.
On Edward’s birthday, Buckingham Palace posted a small slideshow with photos from the life of Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son. It said: “Wish the Duke of Edinburgh a happy birthday today!”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
