Prince Edward, Duchess Sophie back to UK after successful visit

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have returned to the UK, anticipating a potential royal “snub.” 

Sophie, 59, and Edward, 60, spent four days in Malta to mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.

According to the social media page "UK in Malta," the couple's visit was a success, and they are now on their way back home.

They said: "TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's visit to #Malta has officially come to an end.

"The British High Commission in Malta would like to extend its thanks to all those who were involved in the visit and for helping to make it special."

The trip followed comments by a former lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II, where she appeared to snub the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Lady Pamela Hicks supports King Charles's idea of a slimmed-down monarchy, according to her daughter India Hicks.

She told Marie Claire: “[My mother] thinks that it is modernising in a way that it should, and she absolutely believes in the thinning down of the Royal Family and making it this core hard-working foursome.”

Hicks referred to King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales as the “hard-working foursome,” notably leaving out the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh—two of the Royal Family’s most active members. In 2023, Prince Edward attended an impressive 297 engagements, ranking third after Princess Anne and the King.

As reported by The Times, Sophie’s royal engagements have more than doubled this month compared to the same period in 2023. The Duchess completed 37 engagements in September, up from 18 the previous year.

This increase in duties coincides with Princess Kate’s absence from public life, as she has been undergoing chemotherapy for much of this year.