The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been dubbed an “asset” to the Royal Family after their latest joint engagement this week.
The King’s brother Prince Edward, 60, and his wife Duchess Sophie, 59, visited the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for its 80th anniversary this week.
The visit also included a trip to the neighbouring Stoke Mandeville Stadium, known as the birthplace of the paralympics.
As Patron of Paralympics GB, the duke and his wife met staff and patients undergoing rehabilitation sessions in the Upper Limb Lab and visited Horatios Garden, which nurtures the well-being of people after spinal injuries.
During the visit, the Duchess was also announced as the new Patron of national charity Wheelpower, a position previously held by the King when he was Prince of Wales.
The charity’s focus is to create more opportunities for wheelchair users to help them stay active.
Footage of the couple’s visit was posted on the official Royal Family social media accounts on Saturday, sparking a massive fan reaction.
One fan wrote on Instagram: “What an amazing video. Lovely to see how engaged TRH are in their visits! And congratulations to The Duchess on her new Patronage, for sure WheelPower will count on an excellent Patron.”
Another said: “Always glad to see Edward and Sophie duo. Royal Family are lucky to have them!!”
A third commented “they are a real asset to our Royal Family”, while a fourth fan said the couple were their “favourite royals”.
For the visit, the pair got involved in all the activities and spent time chatting to event attendees.
The couple, who have been married for 25 years, also unveiled a plaque together.
