Royal birthday tribute arrives as Edward and Sophie are reportedly in Italy for the Paralympics
King Charles III shared a warm public message for his younger brother Prince Edward as the Duke celebrated his 62nd birthday on Tuesday.
The Palace released a cheerful photo of Edward along with a short message from the monarch that read: “Happy Birthday to The Duke of Edinburgh!”
The birthday tribute came just a day after Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were notably absent from the annual Commonwealth Day Service.
Happy Birthday to The Duke of Edinburgh! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/aI62t4C0Vq
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 10, 2026
Most senior members of the Royal Family attended the service, but the Edinburghs were missing from the gathering. According to reports, the couple have been in Italy supporting athletes at the Paralympic Games, although no official photos from the trip have been released so far.
Ahead of the games, Edward shared a message of encouragement for Team GB’s Paralympic athletes. In his statement, he wished them success in the upcoming competitions and praised their dedication and talent.
“I just wanted to wish you all the best for the forthcoming Games in Italy,” he said in a recorded message. He also noted how the Olympic team had impressed many people and expressed confidence that the Paralympic athletes would do the same.
Edward ended his message by encouraging the team to enjoy the experience and make the most of representing their country on the international stage.
