New Royal Couple To Join Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Outing

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex joined the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton for an event at the Buckingham Palace. The event was a reception for the U.K-African Investment Summit, which was attended by various prominent individuals from both the UK and Africa.

The U.K.-African Investment Summit

“The summit will demonstrate the strength of the relationship between the U.K. and Africa, showcase and promote the breadth and quality of investment opportunities across Africa, and highlight the U.K.’s commitment to supporting economic development in Africa, including through the creation of jobs and new partnerships,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.

Prince Harry and Meghan “Steps Back” From Royal Duties

The news of the new royal couple standing beside Prince William and Kate came in the heels of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to “step back” from their royal duties.

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The Queen has issued an emotional statement regarding Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision. She said, “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.”

“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,” the queen continued.

The Earl Essex and Countess of Wessex

The upcoming event wasn’t Prince Edward and Sophie’s first time to be by the side of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The royal couples made their first joint appearance of the year on Wednesday when they visited Bradford, Yorkshire.

Prince Edward is Prince Charle’s younger brother and the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. He and his wife, Sophie, has long been full-time working senior royal family members, who often take on official royal duties on behalf of the Queen.

The inclusion of the new royal couple in a high profile engagement with Prince William and Kate serves as a reminder that there are other royal couples in the family who can take on the duties left by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Edward, the Earl of Essex, and Sophie got married in 1999 and are blessed with two kids: Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.