Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at the Changing of the Guard in London.Photo:VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty
VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty
Prince EdwardandSophie, the Duchess of Edinburghtook part in a historic Buckingham Palace ceremony on Monday asKing Charlescontinues histreatment for cancer.
Tourists watching the traditional Changing of the Guard through the railings witnessed the unique treat of watching French troops join their British counterparts in an unprecedented move for the daily ceremony.
King Charles asked his brother Edward, 60, and sister-in-law Sophie, 59, to stand in for him at the special parade in honor of the 120thanniversary of a key diplomatic agreement between the U.K. and France known as the “entente cordiale.”
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at Buckingham Palace on Monday April 8.VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty
Since his cancer diagnosis, which was announced on Feb. 5, King Charles continued to work behind the scenes but has not been able to carry out most of his public duties. On previous occasions, his wifeQueen Camilla, 76, hasstepped in for him, but he asked his youngest sibling and Sophie to do so on Monday.
Standing on the forecourt, alongside dignitaries from Britain and France, the royal couple helped mark the 120 years since the signing of the “entente cordiale,” which laid the foundation for the military and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries during the First and Second World Wars — and which continues to the modern day.
Prince Edward inspects France’s Garde Republicaine as they took part in the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on Monday April 8, 2024.VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty
Shortly after arriving at the palace forecourt, Prince Edward, Sophie and the French ambassador to the U.K., Her Excellency Hélène Duchêne, inspected the troops. In front of them, 32 members of the Gendarmerie’s Garde Républicaine joined 40 Guardsmen from the Scots Guards. It was the first time that soldiers from a non-Commonwealth country had joined the ceremony.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at Buckingham Palace in London on Monday April 8, 2024.VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty
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On Sunday, King Charles was seen heading to church at Sandringham, Norfolk. He has been staying positive during his treatment and aides have indicated that hemight be able to carry outmore public events in the coming weeks and months, depending on advice from doctors.
source: people.com
