Duke of Edinburgh at 60: The dutiful son keeping the royal show on the road

family seemingly dropping out of public engagements like flies.

As the world knows, the King has cancer; the Prince of Wales has been caring for the Princess as she recovers from major abdominal surgery, while the 76-year-old Queen, quite understandably in the circumstances, has taken a short holiday.

Nevertheless, reports that Prince Edward is “stepping up” his engagements to keep the royal show on the road have caused much amusement at the palace.

This week, for example, he has done eight engagements across three days in three regions.

“Eight engagements?” says one member of staff drily. “I think that’s probably below his average.”

The extra attention is not altogether unappreciated. “If there is a bit more of a spotlight on [the Edinburghs], they’re pleased if it gives their causes more attention,” said an aide.

“He’s been doing this his whole life. It’s about service to the institution. The same thing he did for his mother, it’s now for his brother.”

“A lot of it,” they add, “is continuing his father’s legacy.”

In person, people remark on how closely the Duke resembles his late father in mannerisms.

Taller than he looks in photographs, he clasps his hands behind his back in Prince Philip’s favoured pose and stoops a little in conversation.

His causes, too, are designed to continue the previous Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy. As well as being patron of the eponymous awards, he has deliberately continued work on youth clubs, sport and non-traditional education.

“Like an iceberg, what is seen above the water or in public is only a small proportion of what goes on behind the scenes,” says the Duchess.

“A lot of his work is invisible,” says a palace source. “Three hours chairing trustee meetings, generally trying to support organisations as much as possible behind the scenes.”

In terms of the Royal family as a whole, they add, the Edinburghs’ place is “a supporting role, fundamentally”.

“They very particularly think about, ‘Where are the gaps? Which bits of the country haven’t had a visit recently?’ and then they make sure they fill in.”

The Duke is said to be “really hands-on” in organising the Edinburghs’ programme, chairing planning meetings himself.

“It’s not about him, that’s the important thing. The Duke has picked that up from his father.”

He has also found his own niche. From an early career in theatre and television, he has gravitated to the arts sector and has spent his birthday week at local theatre halls, community radio stations and, last night, at the ballet with his wife.

For Ingrid Seward, who wrote his biography in 1995 and recently published a book about King Charles called his “first love was always the theatre, but his position as a member of the royal family prevented him doing what he wanted”.

She adds: “He had an excellent relationship with his father. So much so that not only did Philip decree that Edward will become the Duke of