Duchess Sophie 'Played a Trump Card' to Win Second Date With Edward — and It Made Him 'Melt'
Duchess Sophie is one of the most beloved faces in the royal family, admired for her grace and tireless advocacy on global health issues. With King Charles' declining health, she has stepped up on several occasions, representing the Crown at royal events, filling the gap left by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But before she became an integral part of the family, she was just a young PR executive finding her way in London. That changed in 1993 when she went on her first date with Prince Edward, where her one suggestion not only won the Prince over but also became a telling sign of their decades-long partnership.
The two first crossed paths in 1987 when she was working at Capital Radio, and Edward attended a charity event that she helped coordinate. They reconnected in 1993 when Sophie’s PR firm helped organize the Prince Edward Summer Challenge — a charity tennis event where Sue Barker was set to make an appearance for a photocall. However, when she withdrew from the event, Sophie was called to fill in.
Author Sean Smith recounted the same in his book Sophie: Saving the Royal Family. "Nobody at the photocall noticed any electricity between them, and there was no question of the Prince phoning up to suggest a trip to the movies,” he noted. Sophie allegedly left her phone number simply "in case there were any problems with the challenge.”
But months later, Edward gave her a call out of the blue, inviting her for a real game of tennis and to share a supper afterwards at the Palace. Smith revealed that Sophie had little knowledge about the game. Even so, she joined him on the court, happy to rally as he explained the rules. The two "were able to relax immediately in each other's company," Smith spilled, noting that the Duchess "always had the precious gift of making men feel totally at ease." Then came what Smith dubs Sophie's 'trump card'.
At the very early stage of their bond, Sophie reportedly suggested “she should take some proper lessons so that she could give the Prince a 'real' game." This allegedly struck the Duke deeply, with Smith noting, "Edward beamed, his natural shyness melting in Sophie's smile." Later, he reportedly gifted her a tennis racket of her own. Fast forward to 1999, the couple tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. Since then, they have established one of the strongest marriages in the royal household, with Edward being the only child of Queen Elizabeth who has not gone through a divorce.
The Duke has often spoken lovingly about his wife, for instance, calling Sophie his 'rock' in a 2024 interview, as reported by The Independent. “I’m incredibly lucky that I found Sophie and that she found me,” he noted. Sophie also gave an emotional speech on his 60th birthday. "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. 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," she gushed.