A royal broadcaster says the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are a "strong likeable couple" as they appear to have stepped up amid the Royal Family's health concerns.
The Princess of Wales is absent from public duties as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery and is not expected to appear in public until after Easter.
King Charles is also absent from duties due to his cancer diagnosis.
The slimmed-down monarchy has forced the Firm to lean on other members of the family to fulfil royal duties including the King's brother, Prince Edward.
Helena Chard said the pair are "strong and likeable"
GB News
Helena Chard believes Edward and Sophie Wessex are doing an amicable job in representing the Royal Family during an uncertain period.
She told GB News: "I think the Royal Family are doing a tremendous job. I'm surprised that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are given a little bit more air time now.
"I know it's down to the Duke's 60th birthday recently, but I think giving them more air time is good because they're a really strong, likeable couple.
"They are very easy with people. And I think that's a good platform."
Chard believes the British public are "missing Kate Middleton" because of her "glamour and clothes".
She explained: "People are missing her pictures on the front of the papers and the media, and she is missed, and that's good.
"The Duke of Edinburgh has just finished celebrating his 60th birthday when he was appointed to the Order of the Thistle by his brother Charles.
The Order of the Thistle is the highest honour in Scotland and is comprised of 16 knights or ladies and the monarch as head Sovereign of the Order.
Edward has been celebrating his 60th birthday
PA
Both the duke and duchess have shown up to multiple royal engagements over the past few weeks.
During a royal visit to Leeds, the Duchess of Edinburgh made a surprise speech for her “darling” husband of almost 25 years.
Edward and Sophie have been stepping up whilst the King and Kate recover
PA
During the speech the duke looked tearful and wiped his fingers across the corners of his eyes as his wife spoke affectionately of their marriage.
The duchess called her husband an “iceberg,” describing how what is seen of her husband above the surface is only a “small proportion” of the work he does behind the scenes.
The duchess explained: “What is never seen or can ever be quantified is the effort spent on ensuring good governance for his patronages, encouraging people to support worthwhile causes, chairing committees, meeting chief executives and think tanks, writing papers, speeches, forewords, introductions, the list goes on.
“But whatever he is doing he gives 150 per cent of himself, and if all else fails he gives any energy he has left out to our exhausted dogs or laying waste to the garden."
Sophie concluded: "He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend."
