, 1989 portrait photo Edward performed engagements on behalf of his cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, for more than 50 years. He represented the Queen during independence celebrations in the
Commonwealth countries of Sierra Leone, Uganda, Guyana, Gambia, and Barbados, and at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence. He also acted as
Counsellor of State during periods of the Queen's absence abroad. One of Edward's major public roles for many years was vice-chairman of
British Trade International, formerly known as the
British Overseas Trade Board, and later as the United Kingdom's
Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. In this capacity, he travelled abroad to represent the British government in fostering trade relations with foreign countries and organisations. The then
Prince Andrew succeeded him in this position, later known as
UK Trade & Investment (or UKTI), although Andrew resigned from the post in 2011. In 1979, Edward became the first member of the royal family to visit China, focusing on the British Energy Exhibition in
Beijing. From 1971 to 2000, Edward served as president of
The Football Association, the governing body of English football. He has been president of
The Scout Association since 1975, and, together with
Prince William of Wales, visited the
Centenary World Scout Jamboree at
Hylands Park, Chelmsford, in July 2007. He was president of the
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from 1969 until 2021, succeeding his mother. He was also president of the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission from 1970 until 2023. His other roles include president of the
RAF Benevolent Fund, the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the
Stroke Association, the
Royal United Services Institute, the
Royal Institution, the
British Racing Drivers' Club, and patron of the
American Air Museum in Britain,
Royal West Norfolk Golf Club,
Kent County Cricket Club,
Opera North, and
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He sits on the advisory panel for the
Mountbatten Medal and presents the award once the panel has reached its decision. Edward is also one of the Royal Fellows of the
Royal Academy of Engineering. For almost 29 years, Edward has been the patron of Endeavour, a national youth organisation. He has served as Royal Patron of the Honourable Society of
Lincoln's Inn since 2001, a position previously held by his father. In 2015, he received the Dresden Peace Prize for "his contribution to British-German reconciliation." On 2 June 2022, Edward appeared alongside the Queen on the balcony of
Buckingham Palace during the
Trooping the Colour, which formed part of the
Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Edward was colonel of the
Scots Guards for 50 years from 9 September 1974 to 14 April 2024, being succeeded by the
Duke of Edinburgh. At the time of his retirement, he was the regiment's longest-serving colonel. In April 2026, Edward attended a commemorative reception held to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth. ==Freemasonry==