The Duchess of Edinburgh will celebrate her 60th birthday on Monday as Buckingham Palace released a new photograph of the royal. Sophie looks happy and relaxed in the image captured by London-based portrait, fashion and commercial photographer Christina Ebenezer at Bagshot Park this month. The Duchess, who has been dubbed the “royal family ’s secret weapon” in recent years for her meaningful approach to her role, will mark the occasion privately at home with her husband, Prince Edward.
Sophie, a favourite of the late Queen's, has risen in public prominence after being credited in royal circles for quietly steadying the ship after a tumultuous period for The Firm. As patron to more than 70 organisations, her work has seen her travel to conflict zones as well as campaign for victims of sexual violence around the world.
Courtiers and charity bosses have hailed Sophie as a dependable figure in the slimmed down working monarchy, which was left further stretched in the wake of the King and the Princess of Wales's major health troubles. The Duchess was pictured placing a reassuring hand on Kate's back as the princess, now in remission from cancer, made a rare public appearance on Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph at the end of a traumatic year.
She also became the first member of the royal family to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. She travelled to Kyiv in April to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska to discuss how to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
