Duke of Edinburgh won’t be putting his feet up, Prince Edward says
Written by News on 07/05/2017
Prince Edward has told Sky News his father’s decision to take a step back from royal duties is "very sensible" – and said he does not think the Duke of Edinburgh will vanish from public life.
The Earl of Wessex said the royal family respects Prince Philip’s decision – and he expressed hope that the 95-year-old will have more time for activities he enjoys.
"I don’t believe that he’s going to be putting his feet up completely, disappearing into the background and never being seen again," he told Royal Correspondent Rhiannon Mills.
:: Prince Philip’s decades of royal duties
"He’ll pick and choose what he wants to do, how he wants to do it and decide what’s sensible and what’s practical."
Prince Edward described his father’s announcement as a way to make "absolutely clear" to organisations that he will no longer be guaranteed to accept invitations to their events.
He also quipped that the Duke of Edinburgh’s decision to take a step back "is quite good for the rest of us", as it shows it might actually be possible to retire.
When asked which royals will be stepping up in the Duke’s place, he said no "massive reorganisation" is needed because the family works as a team.
"It’s always a team effort, and that’s what we do," Prince Edward explained. "If an actor retires from a show, guess what? The show goes on – everybody shuffles round and we all fill in the spaces and keep it going.
"We support each other constantly. It’s been the case that if anybody has ever fallen ill that we’ve done our best to fill the gap and to keep the show going."
Prince Edward spoke to Sky News as he attended the Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival, where timeless cars were on public display in aid of the Prince Philip Trust Fund, which raises money for young people living in the borough.
With political leaders of all colours and countless charities paying tribute to Prince Philip’s contribution, his son praised the "staggering service" he had offered to the country over the years – dating back to World War Two.
Prince Edward added: "He has always been immensely helpful and jolly. The great thing about my father is that nobody has ever forgotten meeting him.
"They’ve all got their stories. Wherever he’s been, wherever in the world – people still remember him, and will continue to remember him.
"You can’t really get a better accolade than that."
(c) Sky News 2017: Duke of Edinburgh won’t be putting his feet up, Prince Edward says
