Duchess of Edinburgh joins husband Prince Edward in Leeds

The Duke of Edinburgh regarded visibly moved as his spouse Sophie paid tribute to her husband of 25 years forward of his sixtieth birthday.

The Duchess’s candy speech for her husband got here because the royal couple visited a group sport awards ceremony at Headingly Stadium in Leeds to fulfill feminine rugby gamers on International Women’s Day. 

Earlier within the day, the Queen’s youngest son, who turns 60 on Sunday, joked he ‘did not must be reminded’ of his age as he was gifted a rugby shirt for his birthday.  

But at a reception later within the day, Sophie took to the stage to pay tribute to her husband which left him wanting a little bit tearful.

After she spoke, the pair shared a candy second the place they embraced in entrance of an applauding crowd.

The couple are stepping up their royal duties whereas Queen Camilla takes a well-deserved break from public engagements after stepping in for King Charles as he continues most cancers therapy. 

The Princess of Wales continues to be out of royal motion whereas she recovers from stomach surgical procedure with William and Princess Anne additionally supporting The Firm at numerous occasions.

As they arrived this afternoon, Sophie, 59, opted for a wide-leg trouser swimsuit and and double breasted blazer which she cooly paired with a cream and brown striped jumper.

Adding a contact of glam, Sophie – who was also known as the Queen’s favorite daughter-in-law, added a easy silver chain and small hoop earrings.

She wore her hair down and in a trendy blow-out whereas choosing a pure make-up look. 

Meanwhile Edward, maybe taking a leaf from his brother King Charles’ ebook, opted for a blue checked shirt and vibrant tie with a navy double breasted blazer.

Sophie carried her belongings in a small purse in a trendy match together with her prime.

The royal couple, who’re mother and father to Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, will later meet with feminine rugby gamers and handout awards to have a good time International Women’s Day.

At one level, the gamers handed Prince Edward a shirt to mark his upcoming landmark birthday.

The duke laughed as he seen the shirt had ‘HRH 60’ on the again and mentioned to his spouse: ‘Yours is extra delicate than mine.’

He instructed the younger gamers: ‘Thanks a bunch. I actually must be reminded.’

Sophie held her shirt up with no quantity and instructed the ladies: ‘I’m a lot youthful.’

The duke continued to be amused by the quantity on the again of his shirt and he mentioned: ‘Even I do know there aren’t than many individuals on the sphere.’

The royal couple had been on the pitch at Headingley the place they watched ladies from 4 Leeds faculties undergo coaching drills and chatted to them – asking about how they go into the game and the way their present season was going.

The go to on Friday was going down on International Women’s Day and, after they arrived, Edward and Sophie have been met by two pioneers of ladies’s rugby league – Julia Lee, the UK’s first feminine Rugby League referee, and Lisa McIntosh, a former Great Britain rugby league captain who was the primary girl of color to skipper a British sports activities staff.

Both are concerned in a challenge to make sure the story of the primary technology of feminine rugby league gamers is heard extra extensively and so they confirmed the duke and duchess round exhibition of the historical past of ladies’s rugby league.

The pair usually head to sporty occasions.

Last week, they bought caught into the duty at hand as they visited Right Stuff Amateur Boxing Club in Staffordshire.

They chatted with workers on the membership, which strives to sort out youth crime and anti-social behaviour by participating younger individuals.

It comes after the Duchess of Edinburgh as soon as once more confirmed her help for UK sport final month as she attended the British Cycling National Track Championships in Manchester final month.

Sophie, 59, who’s Patron of the British Cycling Federation – the physique that runs the National Track Championships – was seen talking to athletes and workers on the primary day of the competitors.

Wearing sporty stripes beneath a wise, navy blazer by British style home Alexander McQueen – retailing for £1,990 on the Harrods web site – the royal was definitely dressed for the event.

It comes as an knowledgeable mentioned Prince William will ‘welcome’ Queen Camilla’s assist in finishing up royal duties amid well being battles confronted by his father King Charles and spouse Kate.

Camilla has taken on quite a few duties for the King in latest weeks, and can lead the Royal Family at a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

She was additionally essentially the most senior royal at a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle final week after William pulled out on the final minute.

Provisional plans are mentioned to have been made for Camilla to symbolize the royals on the Chelsea Flower Show in May, in addition to at 4 occasions in June – the D-Day eightieth anniversary commemorations, Garter Day, Royal Ascot and Trooping the Colour.

Later as we speak, William will go to the Oval cricket floor to have a good time an Earthshot Prize winner’s new contract supplying sustainable packaging to be used in sporting venues.

And former BBC court docket correspondent Michael Cole insisted to MailOnline as we speak that the Prince of Wales ‘will not fear about who does what within the Royal Family’.

He added that William wouldn’t be jealous of Camilla’s extra outstanding position – and could be ‘solely too glad to see the duty for holding the royal present on the street shared out between a abruptly decreased variety of out there working royals.’

Mr Cole mentioned that he was totally behind William’s stepmother Camilla stepping up whereas the King takes a break from public duties throughout his therapy for most cancers.