The Royal Family has seen a significant reshuffle as two of its key working members, King Charles and Princess Kate, are temporarily out of action. Earlier this year, Prince Edward was also seen ‘taking a break’ from his royal duties following a trip to commonwealth country South Africa.
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Prince Edward, 59, is now already back at his duties. Indeed, a recent visit to a youth centre saw him engaging in an unusual activity for a royal and a quick look at the royal calendar indicates he has several events lined up. Although it is standard procedure for royals to take a short break after a trip like Prince Edward's, fans were concerned about his health so everyone is happy to see him back and in good shape.
Let’s take a look at his latest appearance and what’s next for the royal.
Prince Edward visits youth centre
Prince Edward, the younger brother of King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, visited a youth centre in Manchester on Wednesday 20 February. Snaps of the royal showed him trying his hand at a spot of table tennis. He looked relaxed, wearing an open collar and blaze and enjoying chatting to young people at the centre, which has been in operation for over a century.
Prince Edward is 14th in line to the throne, and is known as a very hardworking royal. He carried out an impressive 297 engagements last year, which places him as the third busiest royal behind King Charles and Princess Anne. Though there has been speculation over his health in recent months, he looked in good form at this recent outing.
Prince Edward’s packed schedule
Prince Edward is married to Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie, who once took a step back from royal life following a major scandal involving an undercover journalist. While the Duke of Edinburgh is set to carry out three more engagements today, the Duchess will only join him for the third.
On Thursday 23 February, Prince Edward is set to visit the Royal Exchange Theatre as well as the University Academy 92 and Shockout, a dance and musical theatre institute, in Manchester. Following this, he and his wife will attend the British Cycling National Track Championships at the National Cycling Centre.
Back in 2016, the Duchess completed a 445-mile bike ride which ended up raising more than £180,000 for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The scheme offers school children the chance to win certificates by carrying out various challenges, community services and expeditions. She is a great sports enthusiast and, according to the Royal Family's website, 'supports a collection of the UK’s national teams and sports bodies as Patron, including England Hockey, the British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association, the British Cycling Federation' - so she should be the perfect audience member!
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Sources used:
Royal.uk: The Royal Diary
Mirror: Prince Edward tries his hand at table tennis as royals share the load after King Charles diagnosis
