Prince Edward, Duchess Sophie have emotional reunion after long year

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie have finally reunited after what has been described as one of their busiest and most demanding years of royal service.

On Thursday, January 15, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out together in Rotherham, Yorkshire, to visit Skills Street, an education centre focused on helping children learn through interactive play. It marked their first joint outing of 2026.

The joint engagement carried added weight following a year in which Edward and Sophie were often on separate paths, with royal expert Ainhoa Barcelona noting their “fervent” support of king Charles. In 2025 alone, Prince Edward carried out 313 official engagements, while Sophie followed closely with 235, many of them solo visits abroad tied to their individual patronages.

During the visit to Skills Street, Their Royal Highnesses met staff and learned how the centre uses hands-on activities to build confidence and independence in children. Later, they took part in a flight simulation.

The appearance came just a day after an especially emotional solo engagement for the Duchess. Sophie visited Thames Valley Air Ambulance headquarters, the service that saved her life nearly 25 years ago following a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy in 2001.

Despite the life-threatening experience, Sophie and Edward went on to welcome two children, Lady Louise Windsor in 2003 and James, Earl of Wessex, in 2007.