Prince Edward along with many members of the royal family, including the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Anne attended the Nato reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening. However, the monarch’s youngest had to leave the event unplanned due to illness. It had earlier been revealed that his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was also unable to go as she had prior work commitments. Prince William was also missing as he is currently on a royal tour of Kuwait and Oman, while Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently on a six-week break from royal duties.
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The royal family were joined on Tuesday night by world leaders at the lavish Nato reception, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Macron.
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Edward was last seen out over the weekend with his daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, 16. The duo were pictured horse riding together in Windsor on Sunday afternoon – a sport much loved by the entire family. Edward and Sophie are also parents to son James Viscount Severn, 11.
The Duke of York, who has stepped down from royal duties in the aftermath of his Newsnight interview was also absent in the event. Prince Andrew made the decision at the end of November, saying in a statement: “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support. Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.
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