Other senior members of the Royal Family congregated at Westminster Abbey
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were noticeably absent from the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were in attendance for the event, with the Monarch giving a speech to the 1,800 people in attendance.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended alongside the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
However, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie were both absent from the event.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were noticeably absent from Commonwealth Day service
Representatives for the couple confirmed to GB News that the pair are in Italy supporting Team GB at the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, though no official confirmation has been made. The Duke of Edinburgh is a patron of the British Paralympic Association.
Prince Edward was in Italy last month for the Winter Olympics and celebrated alongside Team GB’s first gold medal winners of the two-week event as Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won.
Ahead of the Paralympics, Edward shared a message with Team GB’s Paralympics team in which he said: “I just wanted to wish you all the best for the forthcoming games in Italy, and I hope that just as generally, but also in your individual competitions.
“The Olympic team surprised so many of us, and I know that you’re going to go out there and surprise many as well, and you’re just going to be able to show them exactly what you can do.
“So, good luck, have fun, and however you’re involved in the team, I hope you really enjoy the experience.”
Sophie was also seen in a rare interview, where she opened up on her life as a royal.
Prince Edward celebrated with Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale as they won the first gold medal of the Olympic Games last month | PAShe was interviewed on British Blind Sport’s Golden Legacy Podcast with Alaina MacGregor, where she said: “My role, as with all members of the family, is to primarily support the King and the monarchy.
“That is one side of the focus. But also, we’re lucky enough to be able to fulfil our passions and our interests and these over my time as a member of the Royal Family have developed.
“One of the things I’m doing now is on women’s peace and security in the world.
“We have the most incredible women who work within communities at all levels of society, and they are often at the frontline of ensuring that peace is secure, that their communities are looked after, and also we try to get them around the peacekeeping tables as much as possible.
“Aside from that, also the very sad problem the world is dealing with, the issue of conflict-related sexual violence.
Sophie has recently completed trips to Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and her latest trip saw her head to Kenya and Somalia last week at the request of the Foreign Office.
Duchess of Edinburgh spoke on her role within the Royal Family in a recent interview
She continued: “So I spend quite a lot of time going to difficult countries, trying to highlight the work that is going on there, some of the problems they are facing and also trying to highlight some of the good practice that exists out there.
“Also, global blindness, the world of disability, and food security as well.”
GB News has reached out to the Duke and Duchess’s representatives for comment.
News
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has swapped his 30-room mansion for a modest two-bedroom caravan — now sitting in the garden of his Norfolk residence…
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor goes from Grade II mansion to two-bed caravan as static unit arrives at Marsh Farm Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has swapped his Grade II 30-room Royal Lodge mansion for a pre-owned two-bed static caravan costing £26,000, which now sits propped…
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are taking a dramatic step behind the scenes — one that could either save their marriage… or change everything…
Princess Beatrice and Edo Mozzi are mulling over a move to the US to get marriage back on track and escape her parents’ Epstein scandal There can be little doubt that the lives of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s children have been profoundly…
CAMERA CAUGHT — Princess Catherine’s Unusual Gesture During Church Service Sparks Questions — And William’s Reaction Says It All
Princess Kate pictured making unusual gesture during church service with Prince William The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s installation at the Kent cathedral on Wednesday © Getty Images The Princess of Wales was impeccably…
Christiane Amanpour Faces Cancer Again — And Her Strength Is Inspiring Millions
Christiane Amanpour, the British-Iranian journalist and CNN’s Chief International Anchor, has confirmed that her battle with cancer has returned for the third time. However, in a heartfelt and powerful message, she assured her viewers that her condition is being “very…
After 18 Years, NCIS Just Lost a Legend — And Fans Are Still in Shock
CIS fans have been left shocked after a huge plot twist saw a major character killed off in episode 13 of season 23, which aired on Tuesday. Marking its 500th episode, the hit police procedural delivered a dramatic instalment and, while…
The Other Bennet Sister Is Flipping Jane Austen’s World — And Fans Are Hooked
LONDON — For over two centuries, she was the punchline. The awkward middle sister with the “regrettable” spectacles and the poorly-timed piano solos. But this March, Mary Bennet has finally stepped out of Elizabeth’s shadow, and the results are leaving…
End of content
No more pages to load
