Prince Edward looks visibly moved as Duchess Sophie pays tribute to him in moving speech to mark his 60th birthday

Prince Edward was visibly moved as his wife the Duchess of Edinburgh paid sweet tribute to him in a speech marking his 60th birthday. 

Speaking about her 'darling' husband, Duchess Sophie said he was ‘the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still…my best friend’.

The couple were in Leeds, West Yorkshire, today for a public engagement ahead of the royal’s landmark birthday on Sunday.

Edward, who was made Duke of Edinburgh by the King last year, was presented with a cake in the shape of a ‘real tennis’ court and featuring images of himself and his wife, whom he met through the sport.

But the biggest surprise was a speech by his wife, Sophie, 59, with whom he will celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary in June.

The prince looked deeply emotional as she spoke from the heart about her love for her husband, saying: ‘I am so proud of the man he is’.

Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburg shared a sweet moment as they embraced following a speech she made to mark her husband's birthday

The couple were in Leeds, West Yorkshire, today for a public engagement ahead of the royal’s landmark birthday on Sunday

Prince Edward appeared to be wiping away tears as his wife, the Duchess of Edinburgh, paid tribute to him 

She said: ‘If I may, I beg your indulgence for a few minutes, as I wanted to also take this opportunity to recognise another great milestone and share a small tribute to my darling husband as he celebrates his 60th Birthday, this Sunday.

‘Now I know from the many years of marriage we have chalked up, 25 years in June to be precise, he will be horrified at seeing me up here speaking about him in public.

'Without looking at him, I am guessing he will now be sitting back with slightly narrowed eyes, possibly with his arms folded, or one arm stretched out across the table and to all intents and purposes looking identical to his father when I made speeches about him.’

The Duke of Edinburgh looked chuffed as he carried his mammoth 60th birthday cake

The royal couple stood together in near-matching suits as they cut the Prince's birthday cake

The Duke of Edinburgh looked visibly moved as he listened to Sophie's words during her speech

Edward's emotion was clear to see as Sophie paid tribute to him as her 'best friend' and said he was the 'best father'

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was joined by her husband Prince Edward today as they headed to a Community Sport and Recreation Awards in Leeds

The late Queen's youngest son, 59, and his wife, beamed as they headed into Headingley Stadium

The couple are expected to take the lead this week while Queen Camilla takes a well-deserved break from public engagements after stepping in for King Charles as he continues cancer treatment

She said speaking about the late Duke of Edinburgh in his presence was like launching ‘myself out of an airplane without a parachute, but holding on to the vague hope of a soft landing’.

‘You have to appreciate that my father-in-law never liked anyone to pay him compliments, believing that it was the organisations he supported that were important, not him,’ he said.

Edward, she explained, was of the same persuasion but she was determined to ‘give you more of an insight of the man to whom I am so proud to be married’.

She paid tribute to his work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards organisation, as well as to charities, particularly sporting ones, throughout the Commonwealth.

The Princess of Wales is still out of royal action while she recovers from abdominal surgery with William and Princess Anne also supporting The Firm at various events

Adding a touch of glam, Sophie - who was often referred to as the Queen's favourite daughter-in-law, added a simple silver chain and small hoop earrings

She wore her hair down and in a stylish blow-out while opting for a natural make-up look

‘I encourage you to take a walk through his CV of affiliations and marvel at the breadth of them, each doing their part to make our world a better place and to understand that he is not just a name on a piece of paper, but that he commits of himself to them all and cares deeply for each of them,’ she said.

The duchess also highlighted his military affiliations too, flirtatiously adding: ‘Not only do I think that he wears a uniform extremely well, he takes an enormous interest in their vital work and loves nothing better than to go offline and spend happy hours talking one-to-one with those who do so much to serve our country.’

She added: ‘He has been my guide and shown me the way over the years. He has given me much help and advice (not always taken I admit), and his knowledge and instincts that have been honed over decades of service are invaluable - so we share speech notes (not this one, sorry darling!), chat through issues our patronages may be tackling, and together I think we make quite a good team.

ince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh smile as they arrive for the Community Sport and Recreation Award

Sophie looked typically stylish for the day out in Leeds

Sophie added a pop of colour with the striped top

The pair are stepping up amid Charles and Kate's absence 

‘Like an iceberg, what is seen above the water or in public is only a small proportion of what goes on behind the scenes. What is never seen or can ever be quantified is the effort spent on ensuring good governance for his patronages, encouraging people to support worthwhile causes, chairing committees, meeting chief executives and think tanks, writing papers, speeches, forewords, introductions, the list goes on.

‘But whatever he is doing he gives 150% of himself, and if all else fails he gives any energy he has left out to our exhausted dogs or laying waste to the garden.

‘Like my father-in-law, my husband never seeks compliments for himself. So when acknowledgment has come his way it has always been a total surprise to him, which is why I am grateful for this chance to, for once, be able to publicly celebrate and compliment him.’

The duchess said Edward was ‘so happy and humbled’ when his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, made him a Knight of The Garter in 2006.

She added that he was equally ‘delighted and moved the day His Majesty The King – who we are both incredibly proud to support – made him Duke of Edinburgh. ‘

Sophie said delightedly: ‘Both he deserves in equal measure and 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.

So here's to you my darling Edward and may I along with all your family and so many friends and

many others wish you the Happiest of Birthdays!

The couple have been at the Headingley Stadium in Leeds to attend the Sports and Recreation Alliance Community Sport and Recreation Awards, where they met some of the Leeds Rhinos female players.

Edward is president of the SRA - a role he took over from Prince Philip in 2009.