AHEAD OF THEIR SILVER WEDDING THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH HOW A TENNIS TOURNAMENT LED TO A PERFECT MATCH

He has called her “an absolutely brilliant rock”, while she describes him as “my best friend”. And, as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh prepare to celebrate 25 years of marriage, it seems their bond is stronger than ever.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Until now, their relationship has played out largely under the radar, but over the past few weeks, both Prince Edward and Sophie have given a rare insight into a royal love story that began more than three decades ago.

“She’s been an absolutely brilliant rock, and I’m incredibly lucky that I found Sophie and that she found me. Hopefully, we’ve been a really brilliant partnership,” the Duke said in a rare interview last week, marking his 60th birthday and speaking to Alan Titchmarsh.

Shortly before Edward’s big day, Sophie, 59, paid a touching tribute to “my darling husband” when the couple visited Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds.

“He has been my guide and shown me the way over the years,” she said. “I am so proud of the man he is. He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend.”

GIVING THEIR SUPPORT

As the royal family weathers storms, Sophie and Edward’s presence – and solid partnership – has become more crucial than ever to the smooth running of “the Firm”.

Their silver wedding anniversary in June wi l l be a personal achievement for them, but it also represents a rare landmark for the royal family – Edward is the only one of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s four children not to have been divorced.