The Duchess of Edinburgh has been credited for changing Prince Edward's reputation.
Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, has emerged as the fifth most popular member of the Royal Family according to recent YouGov polls, marking a remarkable transformation in his public image.
Only Princess Kate, the late Queen, Prince William and Princess Anne rank higher in public favour than the Duke of Edinburgh, 60, who once faced significant unpopularity.
The dramatic shift in public perception comes nearly four decades after what many considered his biggest mistake - the controversial "It's a Royal Knockout" television event in 1987.
Duchess of Edinburgh linked to Prince Edward's changing reputation
Getty
Experts now suggest the once-controversial royal figure is on track to become a "national treasure".
The 'It's a Royal Knockout' event saw four teams of celebrities, captained by Edward, Prince Andrew, Princess Margaret, and Sarah Ferguson, competing at Alton Towers in Staffordshire.
Despite attracting 18 million viewers and raising £1.5million for charity, the show proved disastrous for royal dignity.
The defining moment came during a press conference when Edward asked journalists if they had enjoyed themselves, unaware they hadn't been allowed to watch the event.
Prince Edward was credited as the mastermind behind It's A Royal Knockout
PA
After nervous laughter from the press, Edward snapped: "Well thanks for sounding so bloody enthusiastic," before storming out.
It later emerged the Queen had not approved the show, which was dubbed an "excruciating mistake" by her biographer Ben Pimlott.
Edward's early controversies extended beyond the TV disaster, including his attendance at Cambridge University despite not meeting standard entry requirements.
Another setback came when he dropped out of the Marines training programme, leaving just a third of the way through the 12-month course.
Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward on set together during It's A Royal Knockout
Getty
These incidents contributed to what royal historian Kate Williams describes as a lifetime of "battling unpopularity".
"Edward has been battling unpopularity his whole life, he doesn't want to be in the spotlight in this way," Williams notes.
Yet these early struggles would eventually give way to a remarkable transformation within the Royal Family.
According to experts, Edward's marriage to Sophie marked a crucial turning point in his public image.
The couple chose a quieter wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, breaking from the grand Westminster Abbey ceremonies of his brothers.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh on their wedding day in 1999PARoyal historian Kate Williams explains: "Marrying Sophie was Edward's most brilliant idea. There are many royal spouses who have been the making of their husbands and Sophie is absolutely it."
The low-key approach proved successful, with Williams noting: "Sophie has this quiet wedding but the consequence is it created Sophie's long-term popularity because she didn't have this giant wedding."
Today's royal experts see Edward as a vital figure within the monarchy, with a dramatically transformed public image.
Historian Dr Tessa Dunlop observes: "He's come good has our Edward, the young 'un, who had a few difficulties in his time, lest we forget. And now, I think he's almost on track to become something of a national treasure, which no one would have predicted in the 1980s."
Richard Kay, a former confidant of Princess Diana, adds: "It's hard to believe that only a couple of decades ago Edward's prospects of any kind of major role in the Royal Family seemed remote to say the least but he has come through. He has become the original safe pair of hands."
