Prince Edward may have had plans to mark his 50th birthday with low-key celebrations, but there was no escaping his big day as he stepped out to attend royal engagements.
The Earl of Wessex and his beautiful wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, spent Monday morning visiting a school in Walworth, south east London.
As they arrived at the Robert Browning Primary School, Edward and Sophie were greeted by rows and rows of children cheering and waving flags from all over the world.
The immaculately dressed pupils looked excited to welcome the royals, while Edward and Sophie were pictured just as delighted, waving back at the children and beaming away as they strolled up the entrance.
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Birthday boy Edward was presented with a sweet handmade card made by the youngsters, depicting a big "50" and a bright yellow shining sun. The eight-in-line to the throne and his wife happily chatted to the youngsters gathered around, and posed for photos with two of the students who had given Edward the card.
Once inside the school, the celebrations didn't stop there. The children sang a very cheery "happy birthday" to the prince and brought out an impressive five-tiered cake made by Olivia Zampi, the owner of London-based artisan cake boutique The Bakery Lounge, which specialises in bespoke cakes and cookies for event occasions. The treat was decorated with silhouettes of children reading, playing sport and doing ballet and had words such as "discover", "together" and "learn" painted onto the side.
Edward and Sophie, who set up the Wessex Youth Trust shortly before their wedding, were visiting the school to see the work of youth charity Kidscape. The charity had received a grant from the trust in support of its bullying intervention programme.
See the picture: palace releases photo of family man Edward to mark his 50th birthday.
Following the morning visit, the royal couple will make their way to London's Air Ambulance, which also received a grant from the trust to help fund paediatric training mannequins.
Later this evening, Edward and Sophie will join the Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Observance Service at Westminster Abbey.