Prince Edward is celebrating his 56th birthday today. The Earl of Wessex spent the day before his birthday with other members of the Royal Family including the Queen, the Sussexes and Cambridges at the Commonwealth Day Service. But why exactly was Prince Edward praised for diffusing tensions at this family event?

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, attended the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day service on Monday.

The annual celebration recognises the 54 countries and their achievements.

Royal fans accused Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, of “ignoring” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in a “painful” greeting at the Commonwealth Day service.

Despite being sat very close to one another Harry did not initially interact with Prince William and Kate, while Meghan gave a tiny wave and appeared to say hello. 

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Instead, William and Kate first greeted Edward and Sophie, before they said hello to Harry and Meghan.

The Sussexes then kept on talking with Edward and Sophie, with Prince Harry so deep into the conversation he even put his arm around the chair of Meghan to better see and hear his aunt and uncle.

Canadian royal expert Patricia Treble suggested the seating arrangement made the awkwardness worse.

She tweeted: “AWKWARD: Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are in the second row of royal seats.

“Prince Edward makes a point of chatting with them while Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge appear to have no interaction with Harry and Meghan.” 

Many royal experts claim this was another sign of the reported tensions between the four royals.

However, there is a simple reason for the seating arrangement.

Royal tradition dictates the most senior members of the Royal Family sit closest to the altar.

The Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were also in the front row.

Sophie and Edward were also sat in the second row beside the Sussex couple, raising speculation about them being in line to take over from Harry and Meghan at the end of the month.

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Royal watchers noticed Prince Edward acting as a peacekeeper between the Sussexes and Cambridges.

Edward was seen chatting to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as they took their seats at Westminster Abbey for their last official engagement.

The Earl of Wessex was commended for deftly bridging the conversation gap between the four royals.

One person tweeted: “Prince Edward, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle giggling away together is the content I wanted to see. Good vibes all round.”

Another wrote: “Honestly Harry and Meghan and the Early look the most ordinary people there, just having their own little conversation and ignoring the haters among them.”

One person added: “Prince Edward is cool and chatting with them. Earned my admiration.”

Royal fans also observed how Prince Edward’s position as 11th in line to the throne, means he is better able to relate to Prince Harry.

One person tweeted: “ Edward is in a similar position due to his birth position. 

“I am sure he relates well to the situation.” 

The outing on Monday marked Harry and Meghan’s last official outing as senior members of the Royal Family.

The couple will give up their titles at the end of the month as part of the royal exit deal.

From March 31, the couple will no longer formally represent the Queen at events, take public funds for their work or actively use their HRH titles.

Instead, the couple will pursue a new life of personal and financial freedom, most likely in and around Canada, where their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is at present.

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