Duchess of Edinburgh pays emotional tribute to tearful Edward: 'The most loving of husbands'
The Duchess of Edinburgh wished her husband a Happy Birthday
Getty/ PA
The Duchess of Edinburgh made an emotional tribute to her tearful husband, Prince Edward, ahead of his birthday.
Sophie wished her “darling” husband of almost 25 years a happy birthday during a speech at the Community Sports and Recreation Awards in Leeds.
During her surprise speech, the duke looked visibly moved as he put his hands over his face and wiped a finger at the corner of his eye.
In June, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary; the couple walked down the aisle in 1999.
Prince Edward looked emotional during his wife's birthday speech
PA
The duchess began by commenting on the likeness between the duke and his father, Prince Philip.
She said: "Now I know from the many years of marriage we have chalked up, 25 years in June to be precise, he will be horrified at seeing me up here speaking about him in public.
“Without looking at him, I am guessing he will now be sitting back with slightly narrowed eyes, possibly with his arms folded, or one arm stretched out across the table and to all intents and purposes looking identical to his father when I made speeches about him."
Sophie spoke out on Friday during a royal visit to Leeds where Edward was presented with a birthday cake in the shape of a tennis court.
Prince Edward will celebrate his 60th birthday on Sunday
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The host joked with the duke that it was about time for him to “get his bus pass.”
The couple got engaged in 1999 after reportedly dating from 1993; both the duke and duchess were 34-years-old when the engagement was announced.
The duchess continued: "He has been my guide and shown me the way over the years. He has given me much help and advice (not always taken I admit), and his knowledge and instincts that have been honed over decades of service are invaluable.
“So we share speech notes (not this one, sorry darling!), chat through issues our patronages may be tackling, and together I think we make quite a good team.”
Sophie called her "darling" husband an "iceberg" during an emotional speech
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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh share two children: Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex.
They welcomed their daughter Lady Louise on 8 November 2003 and had their second child, James, on 17 December 2007.
At another stage, the duchess called her husband an “iceberg,” describing how what is seen of her husband above the surface is only a “small proportion” of the work he does behind the scenes.
The duchess explained: “What is never seen or can ever be quantified is the effort spent on ensuring good governance for his patronages, encouraging people to support worthwhile causes, chairing committees, meeting chief executives and think tanks, writing papers, speeches, forewords, introductions, the list goes on.
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The duke was presented a birthday cake on a royal visit to Leeds
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“But whatever he is doing he gives 150% of himself, and if all else fails he gives any energy he has left out to our exhausted dogs or laying waste to the garden."
Prince Edward has stepped up his royal duties as the King continues cancer treatment and suspends public facing engagements.
Sophie concluded: "He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend.
“So here's to you my darling Edward and may I along with all your family and so many friends and many others wish you the Happiest of Birthdays!"
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