Prince Edward, the Queen’s
youngest son, was seen riding on the London Underground, blending into the
crowds as he discreetly stood on the train, in conversation with another man.
Edward – married to Sophie
Wessex since 1999 – was dressed in a blue suit and matching shirt and tie,
holding his overcoat and carrying an umbrella.
He was seen embarking at Green
Park before getting off at Waterloo. A spokesperson has since confirmed it was the
Earl, stating: “It’s not uncommon for him to catch the tube.”
Edward, 58, and Sophie are
considered among the most down-to-earth royals despite the fact their public
profile has increased in recent years.
“Edward and Sophie are a
very unroyal couple. They have no airs and graces,” royal write Penny
Junor has said. “They are very low-key. And they don’t have a sense of
entitlement. So, maybe we will see more of them. The public, I think, like
them.”
The couple are proud parents
to two children – Lady Louise, 18, and James, Viscount Seven, 14 – and
despite their lineage, mother Sophie has said it is unlikely they will ever
take on official royal roles.
“We try to bring them up
with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,”
Sophie told The Sunday Times in 2020. “Hence we made the
decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from
18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
The Countess also spoke
lovingly about her husband and his role within their family.
“He is very good at
barbecues, and the children love those. He takes our son fishing, does a lot of
riding with our daughter, he is very engaged as a father.”
Sophie and Edward have kept
their children’s life quite private since they were born, only appearing at a
handful of royal events per year.
“They go to a regular
school [they both attend top independent schools]. They go to friends for
sleepovers and parties,” Sophie noted.
“At weekends we do lots
of dog walking and stay with friends. I guess not everyone’s grandparents live
in a castle, but where you are going is not the important part, or who they
are. When they are with the Queen, she is their grandmother.”
