As the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh travelled around Portugal last week, it wasn’t hard to see why the couple have become key players at the heart of the new-look monarchy.
I was among a small handful of media to join Prince Edward and Sophie on their official visit to the country and witnessed first-hand their skill and natural charm when it comes to royal family’s unique brand of diplomatic soft power.
Over three days, I joined them as they travelled between the cities of Lisbon and Porto, visiting heritage sites, schools and businesses, meeting dignitaries, charity leaders and students and highlighting issues close to their hearts.
From a tram ride through the centre of the capital to “baptising” a cask of port on their final day, the couple’s visit served to strengthen the warm relationship that has existed between our countries for centuries.
It also showed them to be skilled operators at a time when they are more valuable than ever to the King as he relies on fewer family members to help him run The Firm. The same will be true of his heir Prince William, who gets on well with is uncle and aunt, and appreciates all they do.
© Alamy Stock PhotoRelatively low-key compared to larger royal tours, this trip didn’t attract huge crowds on the streets like some overseas visits do, but there was excitement from locals when they realised that they had royal visitors.
“A Prince and Princess are here,” a woman shouted to her neighbour from her balcony in the centre of Porto as police temporarily close the road outside.
At the Town Hall, I watched as the Duke and Duchess were greeted by a guard of honour before being handed the keys to the city – something Edward described as “a great honour”.
While Edward and Sophie are highly regarded members of the British royal family, this visit focused on another royal power couple - King João and his English wife, Queen Philippa of Lancaster, whose marriage in 1387 cemented the Anglo-Portuguese relationship which had been formalised a year earlier in the Treaty of Windsor.
This visit marked the 640th anniversary of the treaty – the world’s oldest diplomatic alliance – and Sophie and Edward’s itinerary included visiting the Portuguese King and Queen’s tomb as well as the cathedral where they were married.
The enduring strength of those ties, forged centuries ago, was evident as Edward and Sophie spent their first evening in Portugal at a garden party at the British Ambassador’s residence in Lisbon.
© Alamy Stock PhotoI looked on as they separated and worked their way along on either side of the garden, chatting to representatives who run British charities in Portugal. There wasn’t a hint of formality as Sophie, in a striking red dress with a plunging back, by Spanish brand Matelier, laughed and joked with a group of ladies from the Women’s Royal Voluntary Organisation.
There were more light-hearted moments when the couple helped assemble a drone at UK-Portuguese aerospace company Tekeva, then operated a drone’s camera with an Xbox console. And there was laughter when they “baptised” a cask of port in Porto by tossing fortified wine at the wooden barrel.
Next week, they celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary and are clearly closer than ever. And with their two children now adults, they are set to play a more significant role than ever in the future of the monarchy.
But there were serious moments too, such as Sophie’s powerful speech to students attending a Model NATO simulated conference, during which she spoke passionately about her work with the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda, and her support for the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, telling the young delegates: “Sexual violence in conflict is really a scourge on the world.”
© Alamy Stock PhotoParticularly impressive was her ability to answer students’ questions off-the-cuff and she spoke passionately and eloquently for at least ten minutes, without a script.
Edward, meanwhile, was on great form as he joined schoolchildren preparing for their Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Awards.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesHe gamely helped them put a canopy on a tent, then joked to one teenager who told him he’d got lost on a previous trip: “You didn’t get lost because you are here - you were temporarily misplaced on the map.”
During the trip, I noticed not only was an easy rapport between the couple and their hosts, but warmth and intimacy between Edward and Sophie themselves.
Next week, they celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary and are clearly closer than ever. And with their two children now adults, they are set to play a more significant role than ever in the future of the monarchy.
