Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, went to the New Zealand war memorial in London on Thursday, April 25, to honor that nation's WWI memorial service, Anzac Day. This is despite King Charles III overlooking the senior royals in his recent royal honors list in favor of Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales.
"It was disappointing, the snub, but they are still as loyal as ever," a royal source told an outlet when discussing the Edinburgh's point of view over the snub.
The Duke of Edinburgh attended the commemoration in place of his elder brother and sovereign, and afterward, he is scheduled to participate in the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Additionally, the fourteenth in line to the throne will be present at the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Cenotaph, where he will lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty The King.
The pair were, however, passed over on Tuesday, April 23's royal honors list from the King, who gave his equally sick daughter-in-law, Kate, Princess of Wales, the Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour designation. Prince William also received the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath honor, which one royal analyst said was mostly protocol due to their roles as Prince and Princess of Wales.
"[They] knew Charles was getting ready to announce the new honors and he also told William and Kate in advance," the source added. "[William and Kate] were really thankful, and it gave them a boost to be acknowledged, especially with such amazing accolades."
The insider continued: "They have really stepped things up with their commitment to service over the past few years. Edward’s household was hoping he would get an honor. He’s dedicated to the arts, and that’s often overlooked with his theater work."
"Sophie has been supportive of him during this transitional period and they are really hoping it leads to something bigger and shows they are up to the task," the source concluded.
Although the Duke of Edinburgh spent years in the 1980s and 90s under "near constant ridicule from the press" due to his "whacked-out ideas and bizarre theatrics," the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II has "come into his own" lately.
"That King Charles has chosen his youngest brother to step up and lead the royals today in celebrating Anzac Day is a sign of how much Edward has grown comfortably into royal life and how much his brother admires and trusts him," royal expert Sarah Louise Robertson dished. "A couple of decades ago few would have ever thought the now Duke of Edinburgh capable of such an undertaking."
She added: "Until fatherhood came along he seemed to be floundering for a role, heaping humiliation on the royals when he made the disastrous TV show It’s a Royal Knockout... But he has thrived in recent years."
Us Weekly reported on the insider revelations.