The Duke of Edinburgh was absent from Monday’s Commonwealth Day service
King Charles and Queen Camilla have sent a public message to Prince Edward on social media.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turned 62 today, is currently in Italy for the Paralympics as he is patron of the British Paralympic Association.
The Royal Family X account posted: “Happy Birthday to The Duke of Edinburgh!”
It comes just one day after senior members of the monarchy gathered at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service.
The King and Queen led the Royal Family contingent, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and a surprise appearance from Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, were both absent to attend the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.
In the most recent YouGov popularity poll conducted in January 2026, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had a positive rating.
Around half of Britons (50-51 per cent) held positive opinions of Prince Edward and Sophie, compared to only 19 per cent and 12 per cent respectively who held negative views.
King Charles and Queen Camilla send public message to Prince Edward on his birthday
| GETTY
Both extremely hard-working, the duke and duchess carried out the third and fourth most engagements of 2025, respectively.
The Duke of Edinburgh completed 313 engagements, followed by the Duchess of Edinburgh, who carried out 235.
They were beaten to the post by King Charles, who topped the list with a whopping 532 engagements, closely followed by his younger sister, Princess Anne, who carried out 478.
The Edinburghs reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey, where they raised their two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.
Edward and Sophie were previously titled the Earl and Countess of Wessex before being promoted to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023.
This was announced exactly three years ago, with the Royal Family’s following social media post: “Wishing the new Duke of Edinburgh a very Happy Birthday today!
“The King has conferred the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon his brother, Prince Edward, on his 59th birthday.”
As a result, his wife, Sophie, became the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Prince Edward is currently in Milan for the Paralympics
| GETTY
Their son James, who was previously titled Viscount Severn, inherited his father’s former title, the Earl of Wessex, after Edward was made a duke.
While the Dukedom of Edinburgh will return to the Crown upon Edward’s death, as it is a lifetime peerage only, James will be able to pass on the Earl of Wessex title to any future eldest son.
Upon any future marriage, James is expected to inherit the substantive title of Earl of Wessex and Forfar, which was a Scottish title previously held by Edward.
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