The couple were invited on March 8, 2024 to Headingley Stadium in Leeds, on the occasion of Women's Rights Day.
The opportunity for his wife, Duchess Sophie to also deliver a speech in tribute to her husband, who celebrated his birthday only two days later.
This Sunday, March 10, Prince Edward celebrates his 60th birthday.
“Without looking at him, I would guess that he is now sitting with his eyes slightly narrowed, perhaps with his arms crossed, or one arm outstretched on the table,” she said in front of many guests present.
Indeed, Prince Philip's son would have inherited from his father a fundamental character trait: the modesty of feelings and exploits that his wife admires above all else.
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A thought for his father-in-law
“I spoke twice about the late Duke of Edinburgh (
husband of Queen Elizabeth II, editor's note
) in his presence, each time, I had the impression that I was about to rush out. a plane without a parachute, but with the vague hope of a smooth landing.
You have to understand that my father-in-law never liked being complimented, believing that it is the organizations he supports that are important, not him,” she continued.
And to continue: “Whatever he does, he gives 150% of himself, and if all else fails, he gives all the energy he has left to our exhausted dogs or to the desolation of the garden.
Like my father-in-law, my husband never looks for compliments.
So when he gets recognition, it's always a total surprise for him.
“That’s why I’m grateful for this opportunity to, for once, publicly celebrate and compliment him.”
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The most loving father
Prince Edward in tears ABACA
The Duchess of Edinburgh, born Sophie Rhys-Jones, said she was very proud of “the man he is”.
“He is the best father, the most loving husband and still my best friend.
So, this is my dear Edward and may I, with all your family and so many friends and many others, wish you the happiest of birthdays!”, she concluded to the applause of the audience.
Faced with her, Prince Edward was unable, this time, to mask his emotion.
In tears, he stood up to warmly embrace the mother of his two children, James and Louise, to whom he has been married for almost 25 years.