In a difficult year for the Royal Family, two stalwarts have turned into stars. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh began 2024 in an ever expanding support role for the royals and end it as two of the most high profile members of the House of Windsor. They’ve tackled tough issues and tricky tours and come out winning. Meet the real royal stars of 2024.
The new stars of the Royal Family
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had already taken on a higher profile within the Royal Family but the year 2024 brought them into a far more central position than anticipated before. The ill health of The King and the Princess of Wales saw them take on more engagements than ever before with Edward finishing fourth in the list of busiest royals and Sophie just behind at number five.
The couple had high profile roles at high profile events including the State Visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan and were ever present at royal staples like garden parties celebrating local community representatives. They visited Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as taking on a wide range of tours. The year 2024 really has been the year of Edward and Sophie.
Hard hitting issues and a duchess who won’t shirk them
The Duchess of Edinburgh has undertaken a series of important and challenging overseas visits for the Royal Family this year. She was the first member to visit Chad and also spent time in Tanzania and Ethiopia in the autumn. Earlier in 2024, she had become the first member of the Royal Family to enter Ukraine since the war began in 2022.
The Duchess has also continued her work in difficult areas, focusing on issues including ending sexual violence in conflict.
Unheralded work for communities from a dutiful duke
The Duke of Edinburgh has continued his far reaching work for the organisation set up by his father and which carries the title they share. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has been providing opportunity and support to young people around the world for decades. In 2024, Prince Edward was at the forefront of its work.
Prince Edward has also taken on a growing range of official overseas visits in 2024 and these often include meetings and receptions to support the work of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. In the past year, he also continued to expand his work in areas including the arts, sports and education.
The family duchess
The Duchess of Edinburgh was a constant at major state and official events through the year but was also at the heart of a Royal Family going through one of its toughest years in memory.
In June, the Princess of Wales made her first public appearance since announcing she was undergoing treatment for cancer. It marked a turning point in a difficult time for the family as Catherine joined them for Trooping the Colour. As they left the balcony after an emotional appearance, it was Sophie who reached out and put a supportive hand on the shoulder of her nephew, Prince William.
A year of personal milestones
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh celebrated their Silver Wedding anniversary in June. And a special set of portraits marked the moment.
There were also sweet words from the couple as they reached a quarter of a century of married life in the year that Prince Edward also turned 60. Sophie said of her husband that he is ”the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands”.
To recognise the special birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh, King Charles made him a member of the Order of the Thistle.
A poignant trip
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh made an official visit to Malta in the autumn but while important engagements were on the agenda so, too, was a very personal moment.
The couple visited the places that had been home to another Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip – when they lived there in the early years of their marriage. Queen Elizabeth often said that her time in Malta was one of the happiest in her life and Edward and Sophie took a poignant trip to the past on this special visit.
