‘Favourite’ son of the Queen was the only child who never divorced and stayed with her until her last breath

The death of Her Majesty the Queen of England has left people around theworld in mourning. But understandably, her family is most affected.

The Queen leaves behind four children. And while mothers always claim tohave no favourites, the Queen always seemed to have a soft spot for one of herchildren…

Getty Images

The Queen had four children with her husband Prince Philip. Her firstborn, whois now king, was Charles, followed by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and finallyPrince Edward.

The Queen’s last born child, Edward, was born at 8:20 p.m. on March 10, 1964.He was the Queen’s lightest baby in terms of weight with a weight of 2.5kilos. This was the first birth of a child of his own that Prince Philiphimself attended, making the occasion all the more historic.

Queen Elizabeth was 37 years old at the time of Prince Edward’s birth and shehad asked Prince Philip to attend. The Duke of Edinburgh had complied with hiswife’s request and even held her hand as she went into labor in the deliveryroom.

GettyImages

It was during her fourth pregnancy that the Queen had read magazines thatsuggested the importance of a father’s involvement in the life and birth ofhis children. She was intrigued by the idea and decided to implement it in herlife with the birth of her next and last child. This also made history becausein the past royal births were not attended by fathers.

With the birth of her first three children, the monarch found it difficult tocombine work and motherhood. And as much as she would have liked to be therefor her children, she often had to leave them in the care of nannies while sheperformed her royal duties.

But things changed with the birth of Edward, Earl of Wessex, when she had beenqueen for over ten years. She was better able to combine her duties as a queenand her job as a mother, and thus had more time to be the latter.

GettyImages

So Edward had a much closer relationship with his parents than his oldersiblings. It was reported that the Duke of Edinburgh was also particularlyfond of his youngest, as he entrusted him with the responsibility of Awardscheme of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Edward’s childhood was also much more exciting than that of his oldersiblings. The young prince even had the opportunity to meet Neil Armstrong,the first man on the moon, after which he was inspired and said he wanted topursue a career as an astronaut too!

After completing his schooling at Gordonstoun School, the young prince took agap year. In the gap year, he started working as a junior master and tutor atWanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand. He later attended Jesus College,graduating in 1986.

GettyImages

Edward decided to join the Royal Marines for a while, but dropped out halfwaythrough the year-long introductory course. He wasn’t a fan of the gruelingphysical training it took.

Instead, the young prince took a completely different direction in his careerand pursued a career in the theater. In doing so, he became the first personin the royal family to embark on a career in entertainment. He founded ArdentProductions in 1993, but the company was unsuccessful, so the prince returnedto his royal duties full-time.

Prince Edward met Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1987 at Capital Radio. At the time theprince was dating her friend, the two had never even thought of ending uptogether.

Shutterstock

But in 1993 they met again at a charity event and sparks flew. The couplestarted dating and the prince made things official by taking Sophie as hisplus-one to important official events.

After witnessing the failed marriages of his older siblings – Charles toPrincess Diana, Andrew to Sarah Ferguson and Anne to Mark Phillips – PrinceEdward was more aware of his decision to marry. He deliberated for a while,and finally in 1999 he made up his mind.

The prince announced his engagement to Sophie in January 1999. He proposed toher with a beautiful Asprey and Garrard white gold ring with a two-carat ovaldiamond and two heart-shaped gemstones on either side.

They married in the summer of the same year in a small ceremony with nomilitary involvement. On the occasion of their wedding, the Queen presentedSophie with a tiara made from pieces from her jewelry collection.

GettyImages

After his marriage, the prince qualified for the title of duke, which is thehighest rank according to the British system of peerage. However, he declinedthe title and chose to become an earl instead.

During their marriage of more than two decades, the couple has welcomed twochildren. Their daughter Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor andson James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor, both were born at FrimleyPark Hospital in Surrey.

Lady Louise is said to have been the Queen’s favorite grandchild. And hermother Sophie, the favorite daughter-in-law.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, was closest to the Queen. After the Duke ofEdinburgh passed away, she made sure to visit her mother-in-law every otherday and make sure she was well.

Shutterstock

Royal reporter Duncan Larcombe said: “Sophie Wessex has emerged as the Queen’sunlikely ‘rock’ as the monarch adjusted to life without Prince Philip. PrinceEdward’s wife has made it her personal mission – according to sources – toensure that Her Majesty is fully supported by the family.”

Edward and Sophie also live near Buckingham Palace and often stopped by to seethe Queen.

Earlier in the day of her death, Sophie and Edward arrived at Balmoral Castle,where the Queen was, concerned for her health. With Charles becoming king,Edward is expected to help with royal duties as well.

After the death of the Queen, the royal family has to go through a prettyrough time. Our hearts go out to all who mourn the death of the Queen.

READ MORE: Favorite grandchild Queen earned 8 euros an hour with a summerjob, is heartbroken at grandmother’s death

**You can now also follow us on Instagram for more great stories, photos and