The Duchess of Edinburgh is celebrating her birthday today, amid pressure to step up after King Charles and Princess Kate’s health concerns.
Sophie, who turned 59 today, married Prince Edward in 1999 and is one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family.
In 2023, the duchess carried out 219 engagements, which landed her in fifth place behind Princess Anne, King Charles, Prince Edward and Queen Camilla respectively.
It is expected that Sophie and Edward, along with the Princess Royal, will have to step up their number of engagements in the following weeks due to the recent health concerns regarding the Princess of Wales and the King.
Duchess of Edinburgh celebrates birthday amid pressure to step up after Kate and King’s health concerns
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On Wednesday, it was announced that Kate, 42, was admitted to hospital for planned abdominal surgery.
In addition, it was made known that King Charles, 75, would soon be admitted to hospital for treatment regarding an enlarged prostate.
A statement from Kensington Palace shared that Prince William, 41, would not complete royal duties during his wife’s hospital stay or recuperation period.
Queen Camilla, 76, is also expected to take on a smaller workload while her husband prepares to go to hospital.
Duchess of Edinburgh was the fifth hardest working royal of 2023
PA
She teamed the ensemble with a purple woolly scarf and brown leather boots.
It is unknown whether the Duchess of Edinburgh will have lavish plans to celebrate her birthday amid the Royal Family’s current health concerns.
The duke and duchess live in Bagshot Park where they raised their two children, Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16.
