As royal fans know, there are a few distinctive generations within the family, and each generation is generally thought to have its own set of values. However, while Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, are part of the older generation of royals, they are some of the youngest of that generation. In fact, Edward, born in 1964, is 16 years younger than his eldest brother, King Charles III, and only 18 years older than Charles' son, Prince William, born in 1982. And Sophie, born in 1965, is only 17 years older than William. In other words, Edward and Sophie land right in between the two generations. 

As it turns out, their friendship with William and Princess Catherine only helps to soften the dramatic divide between the two generations. "Sometimes it seems strange to realise that these are two different generations of royals as they seem much closer," she said, adding, "Because the age gap is not very great, [Sophie] is a brilliant bridge between the generations," said Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, to OK! Magazine. "She is so easy to be with as William obviously appreciates."