The Duchess of Edinburgh has admitted that she found it difficult to resist bringing her vast experience in PR to bear when making ‘ceremonial’ visits

The Duchess Of Edinburgh struggled in her early days as a royal (Image: Getty)

As she celebrates her 61st birthday today, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh is also looking forward to marking her 27th year as a royal. Meeting Prince Edward in 1987 while working for Capital Radio, but actually started dating the prince in 1993.

She has admitted that after marrying Prince Edward, it took her a while to “find her feet” as a royal, saying: “The frustration was that I had to reduce my expectations of what I could actually do.”

In 2001, just two years after their wedding, the couple faced potential tragedy when the Duchess suffered an ectopic pregnancy and had to be airlifted to London’s King Edward VII Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery.

She met with crews from Thames Valley Air Ambulance happier circumstances just this week when she visited their base in Stokenchurch.

Sophie has confessed in the past that it can be difficult to adjust to the “ceremonial” nature of this kind of visit and to resist the temptation to give advice based on her many years in PR.

Sophie is now seen as the Firm’s ‘secret weapon’ (Image: Getty)The Duchess admits that she instinctively wanted to offer business advice to charities, while what they expected from her was to simply be the “icing on the cake – the person to come in and thank their volunteers and funders – not necessarily to tell them how to run their communications plan.”

However, she quickly learned that her role was expected to be more ceremonial, focusing on being the “icing on the cake – the person to come in and thank their volunteers and funders – not necessarily to tell them how to run their communications plan.”

While she has learned to temper her natural inclination to step in with guidance, Sophie has nevertheless become an increasingly valuable member of the royal team. She has been described on more than one occasion as the Royal Family’s “secret weapon,” with Woman magazine noting that the public have “really taken her into their hearts.”

The Duchess admits she was often tempted to offer business advice (Image: Getty)

Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, are also said to enjoy a strong working relationship with Prince William and Princess Catherine. According to reports, the future king is keen for his aunt and uncle to take on a more prominent public role when he eventually ascends the throne.

Royal commentator Ingrid Seward believes Sophie’s effectiveness stems from her understanding of the boundaries of her position, as well as her collaborative approach. “With Sophie, it’s not all about her,” Seward says.

“She was one of the first ‘outsiders’ to join the royal family and realise that it’s about everyone working together as a team. She really understands that, and she doesn’t seek the spotlight.”

The couple are considered some of the royal family’s strongest assets (Image: Getty)

Yet despite a reputation for quiet conformity in her official duties, Sophie is said to retain a determined, independent streak. Last year’s visit to war-torn Ukraine, for example, while formally approved by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, was reportedly far from straightforward.

A source told The Times that efforts were made behind the scenes to dissuade her from travelling. “The government tried to stop her going to Ukraine,” the source said, “but she wasn’t having any of it.”

The Duchess is now said to be planning visits to other conflict zones in the future, regardless of official reservations.