Duchess Sophie has been taking on more overseas tours in recent years, and this week, she visited Bangladesh at the request of the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Among her many engagements in the country, she visited a refugee camp and met with the Prime Minister’s spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, to discuss shared interests in the welfare, protection and the empowerment of women and girls.

Body language expert Darren Stanton says that during her trip, it’s evident that Duchess Sophie “has grown in confidence,” adding, “Prince Edward and Sophie are being drip fed even more to do royal engagements.”

“She is prepared to be seen as a normal person,” Stanton shares, speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino. “There’s a great image of her playing hockey, and another getting her hands dirty with a spade and planting a tree in Bangladesh. These images are to convey that the royals are able to connect with people and I think there is a push to introduce this into the fold.”

The Duchess of Edinburgh, who wrapped up her trip to Bangladesh on November 11, has a keen interest in women's issues. She was able to reflect on her visit to the refugee camps in the city of Cox's Bazar, speaking with representatives from the United Nations and other organization about what's being done about the protection, safety and security concerns affecting women and girls.

“Sophie comes across as confident in many ways similar to Princess Anne," Stanton says. "Anne is very forthright and says what she thinks, but doesn’t display signs of insecurity and is great with eye contact. Sophie is great at meeting people, with open palm gestures which shows honesty and authenticity. It is saying that she has nothing to hide."

The Duchess of Edinburgh married Prince Edward in 1999, and throughout the years she's taken on more public engagements, especially once her brother-in-law, King Charles took the throne.

“Similar to Princess Kate and Prince William, there has been an evolution with Duchess Sophie with her levels of confidence," Stanton says. "This is going to continue. I think Sophie will be asked to do more and will play a more prominent role in representing the Royal Family in the future.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are currently away for some family time during Britain’s half-term school break, and according to a source close to the couple, they’ll also be pulling back from any public events in the coming weeks. Meghan and Harry are said to be planning one more big joint appearance before the end of the year, per the Times, but for the Duchess of Sussex, her focus is remaining on her kids and her growing lifestyle brand.

Meghan’s life has shifted dramatically since marrying Prince Harry in 2018 and becoming a full-time working royal, and according to author Gyles Brandreth, she was once offered the help of a family mentor to get her settled into her new role.

Brandreth, who has been a longtime friend of the Royal Family and authored several biographies about the late Queen and Prince Philip, spoke about Elizabeth’s approach to Meghan shortly after the monarch’s death in 2022.

He told the Daily Mail's “Palace Confidential” show that Queen Elizabeth was initially extremely supportive of the Duchess of Sussex. "The Queen wanted Meghan to make a success of the marriage and of her new role, and indeed did everything that she could to encourage that," Brandreth shared.

Although Princess Kate also came from a non-aristocratic background, Queen Elizabeth looked to a more experienced member of the Royal Family to perhaps guide Meghan through the early days of palace life.

"I think she suggested to her that Sophie Wessex, who certainly was a favorite with her, and had been through it because she had married into the Royal Family, and married Prince Edward, might help her, be a sort of mentor,” Brandreth shared.

However, as the royal expert understood, the Duchess of Sussex turned down the offer. "I don't think Meghan was interested in that,” Brandreth said. “She felt she had Harry, she didn't need to be offered a mentor…The Queen was very keen at first."

While King Charles's popularity is reportedly waning, according to a recent poll, there's one member of the Royal Family who is being celebrated. In fact, Princess Kate's closest ally has been called the "most well-behaved royal," with one expert celebrating their wide-ranging reach.

Laura Windsor, who is the founder of an etiquette academy, told Hello! magazine that Duchess Sophie, Prince Edward's wife, is the "most well-behaved royal."

Windsor shared, "She is becoming the secret weapon of the Royal Family because she represents The King abroad."

The etiquette expert continued, "She's never done anything wrong, and she should get all the media attention because she is the epitome of polite behavior. And it's not about her."

Notably, much of Duchess Sophie's work appears to take place behind the scenes, but truly deserves to be celebrated.

"She helps a lot of organizations, mainly women in distress situations, and there's not enough media attention on her," Windsor explained.

The expert continued, "Even she says, no one knows about me, in a sort of non-arrogant way, as if to say, you know, maybe people do need to know what I'm doing, and she is highly admired by The King."

Windsor also suggested that Duchess Sophie is highly "emotionally intelligent," and possesses the ability to "understand the old way things were done."

It appears as though Duchess Sophie is the perfect person for Princess Kate to rely upon.

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Nearly 30 years after her death, Princess Diana’s fashion continues to reign, and while Princess Kate and Meghan Markle have often paid tribute to the mother-in-law they never met, a more surprising member of the Royal Family channeled Diana this week.

Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward are currently visiting Finland for an official royal tour, and on Monday, October 26, the duchess wore a new jacket and skirt set that brought back memories of Diana and and Charles’s honeymoon.

Wearing a brown houndstooth jacket and midi skirt by Gabriela Hearst, Sophie looked like she could’ve been plucked right out of the Balmoral estate in 1981. Princess Diana posed for photos alongside the River Dee in Scotland wearing a similar matching set by Bill Pashley, but instead of the ‘80s bomber jacket style, Sophie went for a more fitted silhouette.

The Duchess of Edinburgh wore a pale blue button-down underneath Gabriela Hearst's $1,990 wool silk style, adding the designer's matching $1,590 skirt. Princess Diana's baggier suit, on the other hand, was designed with extra shoulder room that gave her the freedom to participate in country activities.

Rather than white ballet flats like Diana, the duchess paired her pleated midi skirt with a pair of Jimmy Joe boots, finishing off her outfit with a new clutch bag by Sophie Habsburg.

Sophie went for a different vibe on October 28, trading her countryside chic look for a sporty navy jacket, a winter hat and a pair of wide-legged checked trousers as she chatted with soldiers at Santahamina Garrison in Helsinki.

2026 has been a big year for Lady Louise, after the young royal graduated from the University of St Andrews in July. Since then, Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward's daughter hasn't been slacking, but has instead been holding down a secret job, according to a new report.

Writing in the Daily Mail, royal editor Rebecca English shared, "This summer, I can reveal, the unassuming young woman [Lady Louise] worked for her uncle, King Charles, for several weeks, cooking for guests renting the £2,500-a-week [approximately $3,330] lodges on his Scottish estate."

Discussing the surprising role, a source with knowledge of Lady Louise explained, "She's incredibly low-key and discreet. I only know because she cooked for a friend who rang me up [in surprise] to tell me about it."

The source continued, "Louise is a really good cook—it's something she inherits from her mother. They do it together a lot."

Louise earned her degree in English and International Relations from Princess Kate and Prince William's alma mater, the University of St Andrews. The 22-year-old royal has been praised for her down-to-earth approach to life, with her once holding a part-time job in a garden center.

Earlier this year, royal author and expert Robert Jobson spoke to the Daily Mail about Lady Louise, comparing her to her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

"Some say it is her grandmother all over again," Jobson shared. The expert continued, "People say Lady Louise looks like her grandmother...There is a resemblance. But the likeness that matters more is not in the face."

Per Jobson, "She has her grandmother's temperament...Level-headed, thoughtful, and kind. Those who knew the late Queen at that age would recognize a good deal of her in this young woman."

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Unlike Queen Elizabeth, King Charles has a slimmer pool of family members to support him in carrying out official duties, but there’s one royal who can always be counted on. The King’s former butler at Highgrove House, Grant Harrold, recently told GB News that Duchess Sophie has become the “perfect royal,” just like Princess Anne.

Speaking on behalf of Heart Bingo Online, Harrold said the Duchess of Edinburgh “is known as a trustworthy and hardworking member of the Royal Family” thanks to her tireless dedication to causes such as preventable blindness and sexual assault in conflict zones. “She is the next generation's Princess Anne," he shared. "They share many of the same qualities."

"Like Princess Anne, Sophie will always be a member of the family that The King trusts," Harrold added. "The duchess is taking on the exact role that Princess Anne has played for decades. They are incredibly similar in the sense that they just get on with it."

Harrold noted that he met Sophie for the first time in 1999, the same year she married Prince Edward, and “her relationship with the Royal Family was incredibly strong."

"She has always clearly been a favorite, and they all enjoy spending time with her,” he shared. Duchess Sophie was extremely close to her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, and Harrold noted that she has the same "poker face" as the late Queen.

As for Sophie's nephew, Prince William, Harrold said she'll continue to be a strong support for him and his wife, Princess Kate. “I have no doubt she will become one of the future King’s closest allies," he said, adding that Sophie "will be a matriarch for the Royal Family, and a vital asset to future King William.”

Duchess Sophie shared a close relationship with her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, but that didn’t stop the late Queen from making her displeasure known once in a while. In the 2013 ITV documentary Our Queen, the Duchess of Edinburgh recalled one such incident at a glamorous state banquet.

Sophie has been married to the late Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, since 1999, but said there are still moments when she’s caught off guard at royal events.

"The moment you go into a ballroom at Buckingham Palace it's terrifying,” Sophie admitted. “You see a wall of people and you then think, 'Oh help, I've got to find my chair.'" During one banquet, the duchess managed to hold up the proceedings when she couldn’t figure out where to go.

The Duchess of Edinburgh explained that she typically walks into the ballroom with a guest “who's never visited before,” which puts extra pressure on. “I have to say on more than one occasion I’ve managed to sit in the wrong seat,” she revealed.

However, when she was looking for her place at the table one time, Queen Elizabeth was waiting to begin an important task. “I shan't forget the look that I got when I couldn't find my chair and [the late Queen] was looking to do her speech,” Sophie said. "I decided I might study my notes a little more carefully next time."

Even though she got a Paddington-style hard stare, Duchess Sophie remained one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite family members. Speaking to OK! magazine about their relationship, Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward said, "With the exception of her daughter Anne, the Queen was closer to Sophie than any of the other royal women. It really was a genuine closeness, and Elizabeth was always Sophie's biggest confidante."

Following Queen Elizabeth II's death on September 8, 2022, King Charles became the new British monarch. Since then, the new King has been refining the Royal Family, which includes finding a royal relative who is a "huge asset."

In a new article, the Daily Mail revealed that Prince Edward's wife, Duchess Sophie, has become one of King Charles's most important relatives.

The publication noted that Sophie has proven to be "serious about her work, but never afraid to show her personality," which they dubbed "a Sophie trademark."

The Daily Mail's royal editor, Rebecca English, shared, "Over the years Sophie has quietly set about cultivating a group of charitable patronages that she feels strongly about and, as a result, her personal passion shines through."

English continued, "The issue of sexual violence is something she has learnt more about during the course of her official travels and has led her to becoming a passionate advocate against it on the world stage."

Meanwhile, former royal aide Alisa Anderson-Cole told the publication, "While all the drama is going on...the Duchess of Edinburgh is putting duty before self, representing the U.K. on a solo visit to Zambia."

Per Anderson-Cole, "Typically, steadfast and unwavering in her support of the charities close to her heart...She is not afraid to show her fun side while promoting incredibly important issues like gender equality, education, and nature."

As the former royal aide explained, "Once again she has proved what a huge asset she is to The King and the monarchy."

According to English, "Members of the duchess's circle have also often told me over the years about how much they value her friendship and loyalty."

It seems as though Duchess Sophie has proven herself to be an invaluable member of the Royal Family.

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Duchess Sophie is visiting Zambia for a five-day tour, meeting with organizations to celebrate the relationship between the African country and the U.K., and she went for a bold color combination on day one of the trip.

Unexpected color pairings have been popping up everywhere lately, with stars leaning into Princess Diana-approved red and purple or other surprising duos like cobalt and butter yellow. But the Duchess of Edinburgh proved she was well ahead of the trend by choosing a lime green midi dress which she debuted in 2019.

Sophie has styled her ARossGirl x Soler dress in multiple ways over the years, but for her trip to Zambia, she wore it with a royal purple sash for a vivid pop of color. Although the duchess has been choosing the swishy short-sleeved dress for royal visits time and time again, it's also right on trend for 2026 with its chartreuse shade.

Sophie also pulled off some diplomatic dressing, as the bright green shade of her dress reflected one of the colors of the Zambian flag. She teamed the midi with one of her go-to pairs of espadrille wedges from Penelope Chilvers and some meaningful accessories.

The duchess purchased several pieces of jewelry from a local business during her trip to Kenya earlier this year, and she wore a pair of green beaded earrings by Nairobi-based Kazuri Beads on Monday. Sophie added a wide gold "Africa" ring by Giulia Barela Jewelry along with a floral-themed necklace and ring by the designer and her ever-present Asprey oak leaf bracelet.

Preventable blindness is one of the major causes the Duchess of Edinburgh supports, and she wore her green and purple look to the the Orbis Eye Health reception in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, before changing into a second colorful dress for her events on Tuesday.

Sophie wore a white Soler London maxi dress with a rainbow pattern of stripes, flowers and abstract shapes for a busy day of events on September 15. The duchess paired her dress with the same Penelope Chilvers shoes as she spoke with female business leaders in Zambia, visited a jewelry workshop and met with survivors of gender-based violence.

The duchess is passionate about supporting women who have been impacted by sexual violence in conflict, as well as domestic abuse, and she visited Imvelo Studios, where survivors use creative expression as a means of empowerment, healing and advocacy.

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There are several members of the Royal Family who have inherited Queen Elizabeth's looks, including Princess Charlotte, but royal journalist and author Robert Jobson pointed out that one young royal is following in the late Queen's footsteps in other ways.

"Some say it is her grandmother all over again," Jobson told the Daily Mail of Lady Louise, the 22-year-old daughter of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie. Louise graduated from the University of St Andrews this summer and has been praised for her low-key, humble manner, even working at a local garden center as a summer job.

While she certainly bears a resemblance to the late Queen, Jobson says that Lady Louise's relationship with fellow St Andrews student Felix da Silva-Clamp is also similar to her grandmother's approach to life with Prince Philip.

"Like Lady Louise, Princess Elizabeth was a quiet girl who knew exactly what she wanted when it came to love," Jobson said, adding that "Constancy and steadfastness was at the heart of her character, in marriage as in everything else, and it was perhaps underestimated."

"'People say Lady Louise looks like her grandmother," he continued. "There is a resemblance. But the likeness that matters more is not in the face."

Unlike some of her older cousins, Louise isn't into partying, and is more likely found taking part in traditional Scottish dancing with Felix or enjoying the theater scene.

Similar to Queen Elizabeth, who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II, Lady Louise is also interested in the military and took part in the St Andrews' University Officers' Training Corp. And when it comes to her love of horses, she followed in both Queen Elizabeth's footsteps and her late grandfather's.

Like Prince Philip, Lady Louise is an accomplished carriage driver on the competitive circuit, with boyfriend Felix often cheering her on from the sidelines.

"She has her grandmother’s temperament and her grandfather’s hobby," Jobson added of Louise. "Level-headed, thoughtful and kind. Those who knew the late Queen at that age would recognize a good deal of her in this young woman."

The Royal Family has once again gathered at Balmoral Castle for their annual summer vacation, and along with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince William and Princess Kate, one of the more low-key royals was photographed attending church in Crathie Kirk, Scotland on Sunday, August 23.

Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward’s daughter, Lady Louise, joined aunt Princess Anne and uncle Sir Tim Laurence, riding in the backseat next to her parents as they headed to Sunday services. The 22-year-old recently followed in William and Kate’s footsteps by graduating from the University of St Andrews, but unlike her cousins Harry and William in the early 2000s, Louise keeps a much lower profile, according to royal experts.

“Somehow the youngest royals have turned out to be the biggest homebodies and the least likely to make the headlines,” one royal source told the Telegraph. “You can hardly imagine Louise or her boyfriend falling out of nightclubs like her older cousins.”

Lady Louise was first pictured with fellow St Andrews alum Felix da Silva-Clamp in 2024, and he’s been a regular fixture at her carriage driving competitions over the years, even joining Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward for an August performance at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Insiders have told the Telegraph that Louise and Felix are very low-key and “normal,” and instead of hitting the London clubs like Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince Harry did in their younger days, the most “raucous” place you’re likely to find the young couple is on the Scottish dancing scene.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the outlet that Lady Louise and her 18-year-old brother James, Earl of Wessex, “are clearly of conservative tendencies” and prefer a quieter existence.

As for Louise and Felix, “They look like a very normal, well-suited couple who have been able to lead normal university lives and develop common interests,” another expert shared.

Duchess Sophie has served as patron of England Hockey, the country’s national field hockey team, for the past two decades, and it seems nothing would stop her from watching the women win gold at the Olympics—even a formal dinner at Balmoral Castle.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live to mark a decade since the team’s exciting win, the Duchess of Edinburgh recalled the hilarious moment when Queen Elizabeth excused her from a meal in Scotland. The gold medal game during the 2016 Rio Olympics happened to be on during dinner, and Sophie had no choice but to stop watching and eat with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the family.

“Actually, somebody who was helping at the table who’s an avid hockey fan kept on coming in and whispering the score to me,” she shared with a laugh. “I was twitching, and eventually Her Majesty sat there and said, ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, just go!’”

The duchess said she “ran through to the library” to catch the rest of the game, sharing that Prince Philip—”who loved good sport” ended up joining her. “I think he was watching my reaction more than he was watching the television because I was literally living and breathing every moment,” Sophie shared.

Admitting that she was “leaping up and screaming and everything,” despite the drawing room being right next to the library, Duchess Sophie said she realized the late Queen had “come through and she was standing in the doorway watching.”

However, when the gold medal game went into penalties, Queen Elizabeth had to leave. “She couldn’t cope with pressure,” the duchess said. “She had to take herself away again. She couldn’t cope with it.”

England eventually won against the Netherlands, and Sophie said her reaction amused her late father-in-law. The duchess got so excited that she shared Prince Philip “was laughing at me,” explaining she was “in floods of tears, leaping up and down, screeching” over England’s win.

Duchess Sophie is one of the hardest working members of the Royal Family, and she’s now taken on a patronage with a very personal meaning. On August 17, Buckingham Palace announced that the Duchess of Edinburgh has been named the new patron of Visualise Scotland, a charity that helps adults living with visual impairment and other disabilities in the Edinburgh region.

To mark the occasion, Sophie posed for a new portrait snapped by Millie Pilkington, a photographer that often takes pictures for Prince William, Princess Kate and their children. In another tie to the Princess of Wales, Duchess Sophie wore an elegant ivory dress by Beulah London, one of their shared favorite brands.

The duchess chose a trumpet-sleeved ivory design she’s worn previously, with the dress featuring long, flared sleeves and button detail marching down the skirt. Princess Kate has worn a similar green version of the dress, but hers included slimmer long sleeves.

Sophie accessorized the dress with her Chopard diamond circle pendant and a pair of gold hoops, but it was her nail polish that stood out in the photo.

Members of the Royal Family often go without polish or choose barely-there colors, but the Duchess of Edinburgh wore a dark, plummy brown shade in her portrait that's perfect for fall.

Visualise Scotland's mission is deeply personal to the duchess. When Sophie's eldest child, Lady Louise, was born, she was diagnosed with an eye condition called esotropia, which was corrected with surgery when she was a child. The Duchess of Edinburgh has made preventable blindness one of the causes she's championed over the years, and she holds a role as global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

As for her new manicure, fingers crossed for more bold shades from Sophie this fall.

More often than not, Duchess Sophie sticks to a reliable formula when it comes to summer workwear, leaning into patterned midi dresses with espadrilles. It’s a uniform that works for both casual and more formal royal events, and on Thursday, August 13, she braved temperatures in the high nineties to attend the 2026 European Athletics Championships with Prince Edward in Birmingham, England.

What do you wear to an outdoor event when it’s pushing 100 degrees? For Sophie, it’s a pair of her tried-and-true Penelope Chilvers espadrille wedges and a loose cotton shirt dress by one of her favorite brands, Lexy London.

The small, woman-owned British label focuses on slow fashion and ethical production, with their pieces featuring bespoke, hand-block-printed patterns. Sophie’s dress showed off one of Lexy London’s unique designs, with her blue, white and green paisley midi dress topped off with slightly puffed sleeves and a belted waist.

The Duchess of Edinburgh carried the same Strathberry raffia Mosaic Nano bag owned by Zara Tindall, but Sophie's featured brown leather trim instead of Zara's white version. The duchess previously carried the summery style twice in July, and if it looks familiar, it's because Princess Kate owns the same bag in an ivory shade and Princess Beatrice has carried it in black.

Sophie and Edward’s appearance at the championships comes on a big day for their family. This morning, Buckingham Palace announced that their son James, the Earl of Wessex, will be continuing his studies at the Royal Agricultural University.

The 18-year-old recently graduated from high school and will not be taking a gap year, choosing to head straight to university to study rural land and property management.

Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward’s son James, the Earl of Wessex, recently graduated high school, and after Buckingham Palace announced his future plans, his hands-on summer job explains a lot. The Sun recently revealed that James, 18, was secretly working as a farmhand on King Charles’s Sandringham estate this summer driving tractors, much to the shock of fellow workers. But it turns out that his gig has everything to do with his college major.

“Having achieved the grades he needed, The Earl of Wessex will be going to the Royal Agricultural University to study Rural Land & Property Management,” a statement from the palace read.

While many royals take a gap year between high school and university, the palace noted that James “will head straight there without taking a year out.”

The soon-to-be college freshman chose not to follow in his big sister Lady Louise’s footsteps by attending the University of St Andrews, but James is taking on an interest shared by St Andrews alumnus Prince William.

In 2014, William completed an agricultural and land management course at the University of Cambridge to prepare for his roles as the Prince of Wales and King. Currently, he manages the Duchy of Cornwall estate, which spans more than 130,000 acres, and when he becomes King, he’ll be in charge of the Duchy of Lancaster.

However, unlike Prince William, James is not a working royal and is not expected to be in the future, meaning he’s free to pursue his own career path once he graduates from university.

As for his summer job, a Sandringham estate worker told the Sun that they were impressed by James's drive. “He might be The King’s nephew but he is more than happy to get his hands dirty and muck in,” the staffer said. “Driving tractors around Sandringham is not an easy task and it can mean long hours. But it doesn’t matter how rich you are, learning a good work ethic at a young age can always help.”

The Sandringham estate might be best known lately as the home of disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but another member of the Royal Family has been spotted hard at work in Norfolk this summer. According to the Sun, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s 18-year-old son James, the Earl of Wessex, has taken on a summer job helping out as a farmhand at the estate, much to the shock of staffers.

“Everyone is so used to only seeing James smartly turned out with his family at functions at Christmas and Easter so I had to do a double take,” one estate worker said after spotting James riding a tractor.

“He might be The King’s nephew but he is more than happy to get his hands dirty and muck in,” the staffer added. “Driving tractors around Sandringham is not an easy task and it can mean long hours. But it doesn’t matter how rich you are, learning a good work ethic at a young age can always help.”

James, who just graduated from secondary school at Radley College this summer, will be receiving the results of his A-levels next week, the rigorous tests used in the U.K. to determine university placement.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have not made any announcements about their son's future plans, although it's been rumored he'll be taking a gap year.

The Earl of Wessex isn't the only member of Sophie and Edward's family to take on a regular job before heading off to college. His big sister, Lady Louise, worked at a garden center to earn extra money ahead of her time at the University of St Andrews, and she recently took on a job helping out at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Duchess Sophie is one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, and on Monday, August 10 it was announced that she’s been named the new patron of a charity that ties heavily into one of Prince Harry’s greatest passions.

Sophie will now be working with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST), and she hit the indoor slopes at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, England to celebrate the news. The organization uses snow sports to accelerate the physical and emotional recovery of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

Through adaptive sports like snowboarding, alpine and nordic skiing, the AFPST helps gives participants “a renewed sense of purpose and independence as they work towards individual and shared goals”—a very similar mission as Prince Harry’s Invictus Games.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked in her element as she skied alongside AFPST participants and learned more about how the organization has given military personnel and veterans an increased sense of community and purpose.

Prince Harry has been carrying out the same work through the Invictus Games, which will take place in Birmingham, England in July 2027. Although the U.K. will host a summer games, the organization held its first Invictus Winter Games in 2025, and with Sophie’s new role, it opens the opportunity for her to attend a future winter event.

The duchess's husband, Prince Edward, also has a strong interest in para sports as the patron of the British Paralympic Association, a role he's held for more than 20 years. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have taken part in many of the Paralympic Games and traveled to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, giving Sophie the opportunity to meet ParalympicsGB athletes ahead of her new role.

As for whether any members of the Royal Family attend Invictus 2027, watch this space.

Labor Day is nearly a month away, and here on the East Coast it doesn’t feel like we’ll be getting a break from the hot and humid weather anytime soon. Dressing for the office (or quite frankly, anywhere) these days can be a challenge, but there’s one member of the Royal Family I look to when it comes to effortless summer style—and it’s not Princess Kate.

Duchess Sophie might not have started out as the most stylish royal when she married Prince Edward in 1999, but over the past decade, she’s steadily become one of the best-dressed members of the Royal Family. I’ve been introduced to brands like Aspiga, Sophie Habsburg and Lexy London because of the Duchess of Edinburgh, and her easy, breezy summer style formula has never failed me once.

Her uniform for hot days? A printed midi or maxi dress and comfortable espadrille wedges.

Duchess Sophie has worn the combination to everything from official visits abroad to a recording session for BBC Radio’s “The Archers” this summer. The royal is partial to British heritage brand Penelope Chilvers, but she’s also worn espadrilles from labels like Jimmy Choo and TOMS in recent months.

I stopped by one of Penelope Chilvers's London boutiques when I was in town for Trooping the Colour this June, and of course, I had to pick up the same tan suede pair of low wedges frequently worn by the duchess.

There's something about an espadrille that just screams summer, and for me, wedges are so much more comfortable—and dare I say more stable—than the kitten-heeled flip flops everyone is wearing at the moment.

Another tip I took from the Duchess of Edinburgh is wearing organic cotton dresses by sustainably-focused brand Aspiga, and the label's super-soft styles have quickly become a favorite. I wore a patriotic white dress with a blue and red pattern to Trooping the Colour this year and it kept me cool in the sun while bringing in lots of compliments—and as a bonus, it has pockets. What more could you want in an outfit?

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Before he met Duchess Sophie, Prince Edward dated musical theater star Ruthie Henshall for five years, and she shared some of the stories from their relationship in her new book, The Showgirl and the Prince. During a recent appearance on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch program, Henshall discussed her new memoir and her time dating Prince Edward, noting that marrying into the Royal Family “was never going to work.”

The West End performer revealed (via Hello!) that Edward once told her that “in a perfect world” he would have “two wives: one for the job, and one for the woman you loved—because you wouldn't want the woman you love [to go] through the job.”

By “the job,” he meant being a full-time working member of the Royal Family, and Henshall knew that her career as a singer, dancer and actress couldn’t continue if she married Prince Edward. “It was never going to work,” she said.

The actress wasn’t willing to give up her career, and after their breakup, Edward met public relations executive Sophie Rhys-Jones, now the Duchess of Edinburgh. Sophie eventually quit her PR job to take on full-time royal charity work, but for Henshall, it wasn’t an option.

The performer told Hello!’s “A Right Royal Podcast” that she “always thought we'd find a way,” and even made comparisons to the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson’s situation. “I thought this could be the greatest role of my life,” she said of potentially marrying Edward, but explained that she ultimately decided she “was born to sing, dance and act.”

“If I'd have given it up, I would have been miserable,” she admitted. “It's not my kind of life.”

Queen Elizabeth once stormed out on her sister after she shushed her during an episode of the iconic BBC Radio drama "The Archers," and Princess Margaret was such a fan of the show that she once played herself in a 1984 guest role. Four decades later, Duchess Sophie is slipping into Margaret's shoes for her own starring moment on the radio soap opera—and wowing fans with her acting skills.

"🚨 The Archers spoiler alert! 🚨 Last night Ambridge welcomed a very special visitor to The Borchester Show, no other than Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh," a Reel shared by BBC Radio 4 and the Royal Family read. "Take a look at The Duchess in rehearsal with the cast as she makes her Archers debut."

In the clip, Duchess Sophie wears a blue patterned Beulah London dress and a pair of her beloved Penelope Chilvers espadrilles as she stands in front of a microphone at the broadcaster's Birmingham studios, reading off her lines with "The Archers" actress Susie Riddell.

Along with Princess Margaret, Sophie followed in husband Prince Edward's acting footsteps, and fans couldn't get over how natural she appeared during the rehearsal.

"She's good 😊 Must have got tips from Edward after his youthful thespian days! ❤️" one Instagram user commented on the Reel. Another wrote, "Rehearsal? This sounds flawless! The duchess is a natural."

The agricultural soap opera has been running since 1950, and while Duchess Sophie traveled to Birmingham to record her "Archers" episode, Princess Margaret went very on-brand with her '80s guest role, having a recording studio set up at Kensington Palace.

The University of St Andrews is a special place for the Royal Family, and on Thursday, July 2, another royal graduated from the Scottish university. Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward were there to cheer on their eldest child, Lady Louise Windsor, as she received her diploma from the same university where Prince William met Princess Kate.

Since she doesn’t have a title or take on official duties, the Royal Family rarely comments on 22-year-old Lady Louise, but the palace shared a photo of the new graduate and her family on its official Instagram account Thursday.

“🎓Congratulations to Lady Louise on her graduation from St Andrews University!” the caption read. “Lady Louise was joined by her parents, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as they celebrated the end of her degree.”

In photos taken by the university, Louise poses in her graduation gown, wearing a crisp white shirt and a long skirt underneath and accessorizing with turquoise beaded drop earrings and a matching necklace.

The new graduate also wore a heart bracelet and, keeping in royal tradition, a pinky signet ring. In a second photo, Lady Louise poses with her parents, with the Duke of Edinburgh dressed in a smart suit and Duchess Sophie wearing a blue printed maxi dress and a navy blazer along with a pair of her beloved Penelope Chilvers espadrille wedges.

Like Princess Anne, Edward and Sophie chose not to give their children prince or princess titles, and Lady Louise is not expected to take on full-time royal duties in the future. In a video shared by Hello! magazine, Louise walks across the stage for her big moment, with the royal announced as "Louise Mountbatten-Windsor."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been staying out of the spotlight since he was evicted from Royal Lodge and moved to the Sandringham estate earlier this year, but over the weekend, the former Duke of York made his first public appearance of 2026 while supporting two senior members of the Royal Family.

The ex-duke was spotted attending the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials on Sunday, June 28, where Duchess Sophie was competing. Her husband, Prince Edward, was also at the equestrian event, although the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's daughter, Lady Louise, who typically competes in the carriage driving trials, didn't attend this year.

In photos shared by the Sun, Andrew is wearing a light blue shirt and sunglasses as he drives himself home from the event in his Land Rover. An onlooker told the publication that “Andrew sneaked in and sneaked out and definitely didn’t want to be seen.”

“But I saw Andrew leave the field at 10:30 a.m., just after Sophie had ridden her round, then I saw Edward walking towards his car smiling shortly afterwards,” the attendee added.

The Sandringham Horse Driving Trials were created by Prince Philip in 1982, and both the Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise have followed in his footsteps with their love of the sport. Sophie took part in the "SanDrivingHam" Challenge, showing off her carriage driving skills on the estate.

Prince Edward, dressed casually in a green polo shirt, was not seen interacting with his brother, but is reported to be staying at Wood Farm, where Andrew previously lived on the estate before moving to his permanent home, Marsh Farm.

Duchess Sophie paid a visit to the Channel Islands this week, and during her time in Jersey, she beat the heat in some summery outfits, including one of her recent favorite blouses. The Duchess of Edinburgh has long been a fan of Penelope Chilvers shoes, and she turned to one of the brand’s puffed-sleeve cotton blouses as temperatures soared into the high nineties across the U.K.

On the first day of her trip, Sophie paired ivory jeans with the same Penelope Chilvers “Monday” blouse she debuted in late May. The short-sleeved shirt features a blue-and-yellow floral pattern, a relaxed silhouette and ruffled detail covering its button placket and at the neck—ideal for a sunny day in the islands.

When I was in London last week, I headed to a Penelope Chilvers boutique to try on Sophie’s blouse—and their famous espadrilles—and the top's pretty floral print and incredibly soft cotton makes it a piece that's perfect for everything from vacations to summer office wear.

Although Sophie wears her Penelope Chilvers wedges on repeat, she chose a slip-on pair of TOMS espadrilles as she visited a farm and took a spin on a fishing boat on June 23. The Duchess of Edinburgh accessorized her outfit with her Asprey oak leaf bracelet, Giulia Barela gold hoop earrings and Sting Eyewear sunglasses.

Later in the week, Sophie kept cool in a comfy pink dress by Lexy London, wearing the British brand's Tara style. The 100-percent cotton style features puffed sleeves with a tiered skirt and drawstring waist, with the company's designs all hand-crafted in India.

The Duchess of Edinburgh paired her summery style with metallic Jimmy Choo espadrille wedges, her Asprey bracelet and Adore Jewels diamond drop earrings—and I'll be copying her easy, breezy look all summer.

Royal Ascot is here once again, and nothing says race day like a fabulous hat. Each year, members of the Royal Family gather for the most anticipated week of British racing, and fans eagerly await to see what Princess Kate, Queen Camilla, Duchess Sophie and other royals will wear. And while their gorgeous dresses always make a statement, it’s the hats that truly stand out.

Whether it’s a straw boater, a whimsical fascinator or a sleek pillbox, milliners tell Marie Claire that even though Royal Ascot has a strict dress code, there’s room for contemporary style—even for the royals.

Duchess Sophie's go-to milliner, Jane Taylor, says that for members of the Royal Family, hats take on a different meaning at Ascot. “Unlike state visits or weddings, where millinery is designed to show respect and ensure the face is entirely visible, the Royal Meeting is more theatrical,” she says. “It is the one event where the hat isn't just an accessory—it is the central piece in the outfit.”

“Few events in the world place such importance on hats and headpieces, creating an incredible opportunity for creativity and craftsmanship,” adds Merve Bayindir, who runs her eponymous luxury hat brand.

Combining the rules of the royal enclosure with modern style is a challenge that milliners welcome. “Restrictions can lead to the best creativity,” Taylor says. “The balance lies in marrying heritage craftsmanship with a modern silhouette.”

Lalage Beaumont, who creates hats along with luxury handbags and occasionwear, adds that while the royal enclosure does have guidelines on headpieces, “it is all about fun for Ascot—as long as the base of the hat is four inches or more.”

For custom-made hats, some clients start placing orders as early as February, says Sarah Haynes of Somerset Millinery. Haynes, who has designed for Zara Tindall, explains that the design process for members of the Royal Family starts “months ahead.”

“Everything is really organized because outfits are set months in advance, so hats have to be dyed to match or fabric samples might be sent out to match,” she explains.

In terms of the trends we might expect to see on the royals and other racegoers this year, Taylor says blue is going to be one of the major color trends, along with “reimagined” pillbox hats and “a clear shift toward bold, floating compositions of feathers and sculptural organza orchids.”

Beaumont points to boater hats “becoming more popular, but with a wider brim and a very shallow crown,” with Haynes agreeing that boaters were popular with her clients last year, “and they seem to be very in again this year.” Bayindir says that sustainability is also becoming key, with the milliner noting, “There is also a growing interest in versatility; clients are increasingly looking for designs they can wear beyond a single occasion.”

Members of the Royal Family have long been supporters of the British millinery industry, and Haynes says that, in turn, helps trickle down to members of the public. “I think hat wearing in the last few years has become a lot more popular than it was,” she says. “Now we like dressing up again. Ascot, whatever class you're from, whatever your budget is, absolutely everybody at Ascot makes an effort. A hat is part of that.”

At the end of the day, Royal Ascot provides a unique opportunity to put British craftsmanship on display. “I think milliners play a hugely important [role] in the image all the ladies of the Royal Family portray,” Beaumont tells Marie Claire. “When one thinks of our wonderful late Queen, you always think of her in a hat, and generally a very colorful one. The variety of amazing hats that are worn at every royal event carry on this tradition, all of them made by British millinery ateliers continuing this fabulous craft.”

Members of the British Royal Family attended Trooping the Colour 2026 at Buckingham Palace on June 13. For the occasion, Princess Kate wore a baby blue Catherine Walker coat dress, which drew comparisons to a very similar Princess Diana outfit. Meanwhile, Duchess Sophie styled a white dress—featuring a collar and short sleeves—from a brand beloved by both Meghan Markle and the Princess of Wales.

Arriving by carriage at the ceremony, which commemorates the monarch's unofficial birthday, Duchess Sophie could be seen dressed in a white dress and a matching hat. Prince Edward's wife opted for Roland Mouret's Short Sleeve Collar Heavy Cady Midi Dress in White. Sadly, the chic dress has already sold out, and it's easy to see why.

Duchess Sophie accessorized her dress with a feather-trimmed hat in the same shade from Jane Taylor London.

Princess Kate recently wore a similar dress from French designer Roland Mouret when she attended Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips's royal wedding on June 6. Although the Princess of Wales's dress was made from a heavier bouclé material, both dresses feature sharp collars and tailoring.

As well as receiving Princess Kate's seal of approval, Roland Mouret has a longstanding friendship with Meghan Markle, which predates the duchess joining the Royal Family. Clearly, the designer is a firm favorite within royal circles.

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With a smaller group of working royals around him, Prince William will need to rely on his family’s support more than ever when he becomes King. Unlike Queen Elizabeth or King Charles, the Prince of Wales, 43, doesn’t have a balcony full of siblings or even cousins with full-time royal roles. But two people he can always count on are his uncle, Prince Edward, and aunt, Duchess Sophie—and they’ve been taking on an increasingly visible role in the Royal Family.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been traveling to Portugal on behalf of King Charles this week, and the monarch’s brother and sister-in-law have taken on more responsibilities in the nearly four years since Queen Elizabeth’s death.

Speaking to Betfair Casino, body language expert Darren Stanton says Sophie, in particular, appears to have “grown into the role” and is “entirely at ease” with her increased royal duties.

“She carries herself exceptionally well,” Stanton says of Duchess Sophie. Whether it’s speaking on behalf of the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda or attending an agricultural fair with Prince William, the duchess is “comfortable being the center of attention,” the body language expert shares.

“Sophie and Edward seem to be growing steadily into a more prominent position within the Royal Family,” he continues. Although Prince Edward is the naturally more introverted of the pair, together, they “work as a team,” Stanton adds.

When Prince William takes the throne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will likely be among the only working royals left, other than Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who are all in their seventies and eighties.

‘‘As William and Kate move closer to becoming King and Queen, Sophie and Edward will inevitably become more visible and more important within the monarchy,” Stanton says. “In many ways, they're already being prepared for that shift.”

As the duke and duchess continue to support The King in their daily work, Stanton notes that the public has shown an extremely positive reaction to the couple. “People appear at ease around them, which is often a good reflection of the energy being projected,” he notes.

Since Queen Elizabeth's death, there’s been a subtle but noticeable shift in royal fashion. While women in the Royal Family still err on the conservative side, we’ve certainly seen some changes from the days of constant coat dresses and pantyhose. Duchess Sophie, for one, wore an outfit that she likely wouldn’t have chosen when her late mother-in-law was still alive as she attended a June 1 garden party in Portugal with husband Prince Edward.

Duchess Sophie chose a patterned red maxi dress by Spanish brand Matelier for the sunny event, held at the residence of the UK Ambassador in Lisbon. The long-sleeved Strawberry Date dress mixes shades of bright red and burgundy, and from the front, it looks simple enough. But in a video shared on X by the Daily Express’s deputy royal editor, Rebecca Russell, the plunging back of Sophie’s dress is revealed.

The nearly backless design features a cowl-style drape with a thin strap of fabric across the shoulders, and the video clip reveals Sophie’s back as she chats to women at the event.

The Duchess of Edinburgh paired her daring red dress with a pair of burgundy velvet platform sandals by her favorite shoe brand, Penelope Chilvers, and she added bold gold earrings and a ring by Italian designer Giulia Barela, per Instagrammer Royal Fashion Police.

Like Princess Kate, Sophie is a huge fan of Halcyon Days bracelets, and she wore two of the gold bangles from her collection along with a new gold T-bar necklace by Tilly Sveaas.

At the garden party, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh met with members of the British community and Portuguese partners who are driving positive social change through charities, social enterprises and other community-focused initiatives.

On Tuesday, June 2, the couple continued their visit to Portugal as Duchess Sophie made a powerful speech related to her role in the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda. For the event, she kept it business casual in a white Altuzarra blazer and a green-and-white Max Mara shirt dress, adding a pair of white espadrille wedges by Penelope Chilvers that she's worn more than 40 times since 2019.

Summer events, like London’s iconic Chelsea Flower Show, seem to have an outfit formula: floral dress, straw tote, espadrilles—and maybe a hat if you’re feeling dramatic. There’s nothing wrong with a classic combo—it works time and time again—but even the perfect outfit needs a little updating. Duchess Sophie showed us exactly how it's done on a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show alongside her husband, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. Duchess Sophie ditched the frilly dress and florals, and updated the classic straw bag with a modern silhouette.

Duchess Sophie wore an unexpected trench coat and trouser coordinated set in a soft rose hue. The rosy tone of the set was the only obvious sign of flowers in her outfit. Her blouse featured an abstract pseudo-botanical print from Soler London, titled the “California” blouse, but is notably absent from classic florals. Classic wedges and leafy gold earrings tied the look together.

"What a perfect palette for the Flower Show – soft, feminine and utterly seasonal," Leanne Jones, a London College of Fashion-trained stylist told Hello. "The color‑blocking of the Theory trousers with the matching coat is modern and confident, while the floral Soler shirt adds a playful, romantic note." The look is slightly unexpected, as other guests flock to the event in floral lace dresses, sun hats, and straw totes.

The outfit was given a modern touch in the form of Radley’s ‘The Golborne’ raffia grab bag. An update from the classic straw tote or Loewe-esque basket tote, the grab bag features a modern shape and leather details for a professional design. Radley describes the bag as “a chunky silhouette crafted with soft, smooth leather” that serves as “the perfect backdrop to a range of understated craft details.” The style adds an unexpectedly modern finish to the outfit, with enough room for summer essentials.

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Lady Louise Windsor is currently working at The Royal Windsor Horse Show, where she is following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Louise has also stolen one particular item from mom Duchess Sophie's closet for the occasion.

After borrowing Princess Kate's Holland Cooper sweater earlier in the week, Lady Louise appeared to raid her mom's wardrobe to take part in the Pol Roger Meet of the British Driving Society on Sunday, May 17.

As well as wearing her own Laurence Coste Leonidas Two Coin Gold Earrings, Lady Louise donned a pink wide-brimmed hat for the occasion. The young royal accented the hat with a brat green ribbon-like scarf, swapping out her mom's previous choice.

Duchess Sophie has worn the smart hat on numerous occasions, including to attend the Coral Gold Cup Meeting at Newbury Racecourse in November 2025 with husband Prince Edward. However, instead of a green scarf, Duchess Sophie adorned the hat with a fuchsia pink ribbon.

As well as borrowing a hat from her mom, Lady Louise is following in grandmother Queen Elizabeth's footsteps with her foray into working with horses.

Queen Elizabeth was known for her love of horses and was seen carriage driving on many occasions.

As a result, Lady Louise's decision to take part in The Royal Windsor Horse Show once more, and embrace its many events, shows that she's taking after her grandmother in an important way. And when it comes to Lady Louise's style choices, Duchess Sophie better keep an eye on her closet.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show was one of Queen Elizabeth’s favorite annual events, and Duchess Sophie and her daughter, Lady Louise, have kept the family legacy going. The late Queen was often seen in a country-cool look of a quilted jacket and Hermès head scarf at the event, but 22-year-old Louise borrowed a look straight out of her cousin-in-law Kate’s closet on Friday, May 15.

Lady Louise was spotted wearing the same ivory Holland Cooper sweater owned by the Princess of Wales as she arrived to work at the horse show. Princess Kate has worn the cozy Fair Isle sweater on several occasions, including a 2022 CBeebies appearance and a 2023 Instagram post promoting her Together at Christmas concert.

Louise paired the $299 turtleneck with a wool coat and a checked Zara skirt, although she carried the sweater over her arm in one photo taken later in the day and appeared to be wearing a chambray blouse under her blazer.

As for proud mom Duchess Sophie, she bundled up in four layers as she took in the action at the horse show, wearing a frilly floral blouse by Lexy London under a camel-colored cardigan and a brown blazer.

She topped off the look with a trench coat draped around her shoulders, adding blue corduroy pants and brown boots to her outfit.

This year, Lady Louise—who has also worked at a garden center—is taking on a paid job at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and the show's director praised the royal for her down-to-earth nature.

“Lady Louise is one of the chief organisers, essentially operating a first concierge service,” Nick Books-Ward told Vanity Fair. “She’s a great worker and a real asset to the team with no airs or graces. It’s a proper paid job, and there’s no special treatment because of who she is.”

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Princess Kate can’t get enough of a Self-Portrait blazer dress, and she once again showed her allegiance to the brand at a royal garden party on Friday, May 8. The Princess of Wales joined Prince William, Duchess Sophie, Prince Edward and Zara and Mike Tindall at Buckingham Palace to mark the second garden party of the season, and Kate brought out all the fashion stops in a polka dot outfit.

The princess wore a vintage-inspired cream dress featuring a wool jacket with a 3-D satin rose, but hers featured some different details than the $750 style available for sale. Self-Portrait's original dress has a full satin skirt, but Kate's appears to be a custom version with a slimmer, longer pleated skirt.

The royal further customized her outfit with a different belt, and swapped out the black one that comes with the dress for a white style.

The Princess of Wales added some more old-school glamour with her hat, wearing a vintage style by Mitzi Lorenz featuring a cream base with black flowers and black mesh detail. The hat was recently sold for £135 from Albion Vintage Hat Shop in London via the website Hat Circle, suggesting it was Kate who snagged the gorgeous headpiece.

She finished off her outfit with an old pair of brown Ralph Lauren pumps, a woven clutch by Forever New, Queen Elizabeth’s Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and a pearl bracelet that was owned by Princess Diana.

The original version of the dress brings back memories of some of the styles Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wore in the 1950s, including a white dotted dress Margaret wore on a 1955 tour to the Caribbean and a style Queen Elizabeth sported during a tour of India in 1961. Self-Portrait currently sells a very similar dress to the one Margaret wore, proving the silhouette never goes out of style.

Princess Kate has worn a number of other Self-Portrait styles in the past, including an ivory blazer dress she also owns in black (as does Princess Beatrice, who wore it to a memorial for Queen Elizabeth). From Wimbledon to a VE Day concert, the Princess of Wales relies on the brand's belted styles to see her through busy days of royal engagements—and if it isn't broke, why fix it?

Duchess Sophie made a poignant appearance on Wednesday, April 15 to mark the third anniversary of the conflict in Sudan, which has now become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The Duchess of Edinburgh serves as royal patron of U.K. children’s charity Plan International, and she attended a roundtable event at its headquarters to raise awareness for the “harrowing” situation in Sudan.

Together with Sudanese youth advocates, civil society organizations, U.K. Government representatives and humanitarian workers, Duchess Sophie discussed the impact the conflict has had on the Sudanese people, especially girls.

“After three years of conflict, Sudan is reaping the most horrendous human cost on the planet,” the Duchess of Edinburgh said. “I’ve had the privilege of speaking to women impacted by conflicts from all over the world—but the stories from Sudan are the most harrowing I have ever heard.”

Duchess Sophie continued, “No human should ever have to encounter such devastation and violence. We must not forget about Sudan and I will keep raising my voice where and when I can.”

During the Plan International event, she added words of support on a tree of reflection, writing, “Peace is the only option. The People of Sudan are not forgotten.”

According to the charity, more than 21 million people are facing extreme hunger in Sudan, with famine declared in parts of the country. Right now, 12 million Sudanese people—a quarter of the population—are thought to be at risk of gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault. 

The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the Chad-Sudan border in 2024, and in January 2026 she penned a powerful essay in the Telegraph about her experience there.

After meeting girls and women who had escaped Sudan, she reflected on “their eyes telling tales of horrors no one should ever see,” including “bodies piled up like a wall” and “women raped and beaten.”

“Girls who have had their education interrupted must be given the chance to return to school, and women, men and children who have endured unthinkable sexual violence need access to health services, safe spaces and support to recover and restore their dignity,” the duchess wrote. “These are not luxuries; they are basic human requirements.”

Sometimes, the smallest accessory can send the biggest message and bring meaning to an entire outfit. For the historic Enthronement Service installing the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Princess of Wales had a delicate cross necklace peeking out from her elegant gray Suzannah coat. A thin silver chain held a simple diamond cross pendant—small, but meaningful. Nearly slipping into her neckline, the petite pendant was the ultimate in elegant minimalism, and makes the perfect accessory for your upcoming Easter plans.

Anyone who has visited London’s Victoria and Albert Museum—where several of the finest historical examples are on display—knows that crucifix necklaces have a long history in the fashion world. With adornment styles dating back to the 5th century A.D., the iconic cross necklace is a wardrobe staple. Cross necklaces are one of the most timeless and effortless pendant styles throughout history. Celebrity stylist Genesis Webb told Elle that the cross necklace “is classically beautiful, and it’s also rooted in a sense of trust to be protected by something you believe in.”

The Princess of Wales has owned her delicate diamond cross necklace for over two decades. The necklace first appears in photographs of young Kate Middleton at the wedding of Hugh Van Cutsem and Rose Astor in 2005, and the princess has worn the pendant several times since then. Although Princess Kate has remained quietly religious throughout her life, attending church services on high holidays like Easter and Christmas, she said she has become “very spiritual” in recent years following her cancer treatment.

While you don’t have to be fiercely religious to wear a cross necklace, they do make the perfect accessory as Easter approaches. The springtime holiday is the ideal excuse to pull out the floral prints, flouncy dresses, and the cross necklace you were given for your First Holy Communion—or, shop one of our classic style choices below. Pair with classic pearl earrings, like the Princess of Wales, for a meaningful Easter style.

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Duchess Sophie said hello to spring in a dreamy pastel dress on Monday, March 23, attending the Jane Goodall Institute UK's Reasons for Hope gala alongside a lesser-known member of the Royal Family. The Duchess of Edinburgh was joined by Lady Helen Taylor, the only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, as they honored the legacy of the late Dr. Jane Goodall at The Peninsula London.

Sophie debuted a new dress for the gala, wearing the soft lilac Hypnotic maxi by Zimmermann. Described by the label as an “ethereal and romantic” style, Sophie’s sheer, long-sleeved dress featured an earth-toned paisley print and a sash belt, and she paired it with a metallic gold clutch and beaded drop earrings.

This is the second paisley style the Duchess of Edinburgh has worn in recent memory. In late February, she embraced bold color as she took part in an official visit to Kenya, wearing a turquoise paisley dress by Lexy London.

Lady Helen rarely makes public appearances, but she coordinated with Duchess Sophie in muted pastels for the Jane Goodall gala. The mother of four draped a sheer green scarf around her neck, pairing an ivory blouse and green satin evening skirt with a black crystal-embellished bag.

Although she’s not a working royal, Lady Helen does join King Charles and the rest of the family at select events, and was last seen attending The King’s annual Christmas lunch with husband Tim Taylor. She also brought her children Columbus, Cassius and Estella to Princess Kate’s Together at Christmas concert in December 2025.

The Princess of Wales included a special touch in the carol service that would have been especially meaningful for Lady Helen and her siblings, Lord Nicholas Windsor and George, Earl of St Andrews. Their mother, the Duchess of Kent, died in September 2025, and the Together at Christmas concert included performances from Future Talent, a charity the late royal founded to support young musicians.

If you’re Queen Camilla or Princess Kate, you can’t exactly turn up to the local movie theater with your friends and see Wuthering Heights. But as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s BBC Newsnight interviewer, Emily Maitlis, once revealed, Buckingham Palace is often transformed into a secret cinema for members of the Royal Family and their staff. Now former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for King Charles at Highgrove, is sharing what it was really like to watch movies with the royals.

Opening up about his experience to Smooth Spins Casino, Harrold explained how rooms in various royal residences are rearranged to replicate a movie-going experience. “There’s a mixture of sofas and armchairs, and then, as you go down the ranks, there are normal dining chairs,” he shared of the ballroom setup.

“The movie night that I went to at Balmoral, there were no snacks or drinks,” Harrold recalled. “They have it sometimes at Sandringham as well, which is mainly with friends and family. For some reason, I remember there being drinks and food at Sandringham. I think it was just some sweets or Jammy Dodgers [jam-filled cookies] in packets.”

The former Highgrove butler says he saw the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt flick Mr. & Mrs. Smith at the time, noting that the royals show “a mixture of old and new movies” ranging “from every genre and every era.” Queen Elizabeth was apparently a big fan of old musicals and “loved South Pacific,” Harrold revealed, while King Charles also enjoyed classic films.

Harrold revealed that he once “gave Charles a video of Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis to watch once, and he liked that. That gives you an idea of the King’s sort of taste in films.”

As for who would be in attendance, the former butler said that “the Royal Family and their guests” would typically join in, “and then the staff would watch from the sidelines.” When he worked for the family between 2004 and 2011, Harrold recalled “it would be the [late] Queen, Prince Philip, Charles, Camilla and Edward. It was very much an open ticket.”

He shared that “some nights you had a full house, but it really depended on the movie,” adding, “I remember going into the ballroom at Balmoral once and the chairs were all there, but not a single member of the Royal Family appeared.”

Describing the experience as “not quite like the cinema,” Harrold admitted, “It’s a little bit posher, but still fun.”

As for Maitlis, she was actually invited to stay on for a palace movie night after her infamous 2019 interview with the former Duke of York. In 2019, she wrote about the experience in the Times, explaining how the floors were "being transformed by palace workmen" for the special screening.

When she suggested they hold a viewing of royal drama The Crown, a staff member told her, “We had Downtown Abbey last week. But we don't do The Crown here.” Fair enough.

Queen Elizabeth loved to fly the flag for British fashion, and with what would have been her 100th birthday approaching on April 21, who better than Burberry to celebrate the milestone? On Thursday, March 12, the British designer announced the launch of a special new collection in collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust—and it’s every royal watcher’s dream.

Drawing inspiration from Queen Elizabeth’s country-chic wardrobe, Burberry’s centenary collection features four pieces, including a green car coat lined with a special new colorway of the brand’s iconic House Check. Per Burberry, the green and purple design was inspired by a tartan personally worn by the late monarch, who also favored the no-nonsense silhouette of the coat.

The special checked pattern appears across the rest of the new pieces, including a cozy, Scottish-woven cashmere scarf. My personal favorite, however, is Burberry’s gorgeous silk twill scarf, featuring a hand-painted depiction of Balmoral Castle, the late Queen’s beloved Scottish home. A pack of corgis and Burberry’s signature plaid perfectly trim the classic design.

Rounding out the offerings is a $585 brooch featuring Queen Elizabeth’s favorite dog breed, with the gold-plated corgi pin wearing an adorable enameled check coat and holding on to a freshwater pearl with a Burberry Knight motif.

Queen Elizabeth was fond of Burberry’s classic British heritage pieces over the years and awarded the brand a royal warrant in 1955. She famously wore a checked Burberry head scarf while traveling to Sandringham for Christmas in 2018, but the late royal also relied on the label for days out in the country.

“Synonymous with British style, the Queen often chose Burberry for outdoor pursuits—reflecting the brand’s commitment to protecting people from unpredictable weather,” the brand said in a statement.

Will any of the royals wear one of Burberry’s new designs? Something tells me this collection would be right up Princess Anne’s alley, but watch this space.

Prince Edward is marking his 62nd birthday on March 10, and he combined royal duties with celebrations while attending the Paralympic Games in Cortina, Italy with Duchess Sophie. After once being called “Prince Brat,” the Duke of Edinburgh has become an increasingly important member of the Royal Family in recent years, especially after he took over his father, Prince Philip’s, duke title. Reflecting on Edward’s growing role, one royal expert has noted that Prince William can count on his uncle as a “steady” influence when he eventually takes the throne.

Royal journalist and author Robert Jobson told the Daily Express that with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “permanently out of the public eye,” King Charles is lucky to have another brother he can count on.

“In Edward, The King has found a trusted, steady hand—dependable and discreet—supported by his equally grounded wife, Sophie,” Jobson said. “Together, they present a wholesome, scandal-free image that has quietly bolstered the monarchy’s relatability in modern times.”

Jobson noted that with fewer working royals to go around, King Charles “has increasingly turned to Prince Edward to shoulder the duties once shared among the younger generation of their era.”

And when Prince William becomes King, he'll need to rely on his uncle even more as the pool of full-time senior royals shrinks even more.

Edward, who shares daughter Lady Louise and son James, Earl of Wessex with the Duchess of Edinburgh, quietly carries out engagements on behalf of the Crown, such as his work with the British Paralympic Association.

“He has stepped up at a time when Charles and William need loyal, experienced support—and Edward delivers it without fuss,” Jobson said. “His decades of quiet service and his unblemished record have also positioned him as a valuable bridge between generations.”

Prince William, Princess Anne, and Duchess Sophie came together to travel to Brecon, Wales, to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for a very close friend of the Royal Family. Shân Legge-Bourke, who died in December 2025, was celebrated with a service at Brecon Cathedral alongside the Legge-Bourke family and friends. Dame Shån was remembered in The Bidding of the Service for her “loyalty to her beliefs and friends,” and that loyalty and friendship was clearly appreciated by the Royal Family.

Dame Elizabeth Shân Legge-Bourke, known as Shân to her friends, served as a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Anne, and her late husband, Captain William Legge-Bourke served as a Royal Equerry for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Dame Shân was a close friend of the Royal Family throughout her life, often guiding them on official visits to Wales in her capacity as Lord Lieutenant of Powys. Her daughter, Tiggy Pettifer (née Legge-Bourke), was a favored nanny of Prince William and Prince Harry, showing the close family ties.

Women were invited to wear colorful hats and dresses to Dame Shân’s Service of Thanksgiving, while men were invited to wear suits or uniforms. Prince William was seen in his usual nondescript suit, while Duchess Sophie wore a maroon-trimmed coat, red dress, and coordinating hatband, and Princess Anne wore a charcoal skirt suit. The royal trio arrived in three individual Range Rovers, and drove right onto the cathedral grounds to exit their vehicles away from the public eye.

Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Princess Alexandra all sent representatives on their behalf alongside Prince William, Princess Anne, and Duchess Sophie. Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan also attended the service, showing how far-reaching Dame Shån’s relationships stretched. Her family concluded the service with a lighthearted personal note, writing “The family hope you will join them in the Marquee for “Coca Cola and a [cigarette]”!”

Duchess Sophie returned from a trip to Somalia and Kenya in late February, and on Tuesday, March 3, she showed off a memory from her travels during an official royal visit to Northern Ireland.

Wearing a brown blazer buttoned up over a burgundy tweed midi dress, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited a new specialist autism center, attended a Women in Leadership event and even cuddled some guide dogs. Taking a cue from Princess Kate's outfit in Wales last week, Sophie accessorized with maroon leather boots, finishing off her look with jewelry from Nairobi, Kenya-based Kazuri Beads.

The duchess visited the jeweler during her trip to Kenya on February 25, learning how the company creates employment opportunities and financial security for women in the area. Sophie has long championed causes related to female empowerment, and Kazuri Beads has grown to a world-renowned brand while staying true to its core values.

Sophie took time to try on multiple pieces during her visit to the jeweler, which focuses on handmade, traditional African craftsmanship. She was shown purchasing the eggplant-colored necklace she wore to Belfast in photos from her Kenya trip, and Sophie paired the beaded design with a coordinating pair of round drop earrings.

The Duchess of Edinburgh also sported a pair of green sea glass earrings from Kazuri Beads during her time in Kenya, pairing them with a colorful floral dress by Lexy London and a landscape-patterned Suzannah London shirt dress.

Before she visited Kenya, Sophie met with groups who are working to help those impacted by conflict-based sexual violence in Somalia. Along with visiting a hospital, the duchess met survivors and learned more about organizations fighting to deliver essential services to women in an area plagued by drought and political tensions.

Commonwealth Day is one of the highlights of the royal calendar each year, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate and other senior royals coming together to celebrate the diverse countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations. Held on the second Monday of March, the event is marked with a service at Westminster Abbey each year, and on Tuesday, March 3, Buckingham Palace announced the royal lineup would be missing two key figures.

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie are typically regular attendees at the Commonwealth Day festivities, but last year, Sophie missed the event to travel to New York and support women's and girls' rights with Plan International UK. Edward, whose birthday was the same day as the event, also missed the service.

This year, neither the duke or duchess will be present at Commonwealth Day again because of some exciting royal duties abroad. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be flying to Cortina, Italy to take part in the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Prince Edward, who serves as patron of the British Paralympic Association, just returned from the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina last month after supporting British athletes in the games.

Although Edward and Sophie won't be at the Commonwealth Day event, royal fans can look forward to seeing King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on Monday, March 9.

The royals, along with 1,800 guests, will take part in readings and performances that reflect the spirit of the Commonwealth. This year's theme is focused on highlighting "collaboration as the defining strength of the modern Commonwealth" and the service will include several royal firsts.

Per Buckingham Palace, the service at Westminster Abbey will feature the world premiere performance of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan, and a bespoke dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments Ltd. that unites classical ballet and Bollywood moves.

Duchess Sophie played into this spring’s biggest, boldest trend with a joy-inducing maximalist fashion moment. Banishing the greys and neutrals of a seasonally-depressive winter, the Duchess of Edinburgh wore an ebullient paisley maxi dress from Lexy London on the second day of her official visit to Kenya. At a meeting with women peacebuilders in Wajir, north-east Kenya, Duchess Sophie spoke of “community resilience” in the region, which faces significant instability in its climate and access to resources. She sat barefoot in a circle with the women, her cheerful dress brightening the conversation that could otherwise feel very heavy.

For the visit, Duchess Sophie chose Lexy London’s Deborah dress in Wild Meadow, described by the brand as “a bright and multi coloured summery print.” The design is crafted “for effortless styling, allowing you to simply slip it on and go.” The Duchess of Edinburgh paired the dress with neutral espadrille wedges and coordinating, simple drop earrings for an uncomplicated outfit. An easy hero piece, like this bold paisley dress, makes the maximalist trend feel accessible and wearable.

As Emma Childs declared in Marie Claire earlier this month, “high saturation [is] the name of the game.” The Spring 2026 collections were a rainbow of cobalt, magenta, and “Big Bird yellow.” As the temperatures climb, and the flowers eventually start to bloom, Childs explains that the fashion goal is to “be as vibrant as a kindergartner’s coloring book.” While other royal women are out in neutral beiges, blacks, and greys, Duchess Sophie is wearing a loud, unapologetically cheerful dress. “The color palette presented last fashion month was the final nail in the quiet luxury coffin,” Childs said, emphasizing that quiet luxury is out, and electric hues are in.

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s bright dress was hard to miss, and created an approachable rapport between the royal woman and the women peacebuilders she was meeting. When the cultural divide can feel so vast, a cheerful fashion moment can lend a sense of friendliness—the bolder, the better.

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Duchess Sophie has worked tirelessly to support survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones, and on February 24, Buckingham Palace announced that she’s visited Somalia for the first time. Earlier this week, the Duchess of Edinburgh completed a two-day visit to the African country at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before heading to Kenya to recognize the role women play in preventing and resolving conflicts.

Somalia has been dealing with political tensions amid the government's offensive against the armed extremist group Al-Shabaab. The group has imposed harsh restrictions on women and girls in areas it controls, and many have faced forced marriages and sexual violence as part of the ongoing conflict in Somalia.

During her visit, the Duchess of Edinburgh met with Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and joined his daughter Jihan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to meet survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. She also visited a hospital in Mogadishu to learn more about a sexual and reproductive health program supported by the U.K. that’s now operating in 39 facilities across Somalia.

Per Buckingham Palace, the duchess—who champions the UN's Women, Peace and Security Agenda— “met survivors who spoke about the impact of female genital mutilation, rape and sexual assault on Somali women, and the importance of being able to access vital services.”

The country has been facing a severe drought which has only increased the difficulty for women in Somalia to access vital services. Duchess Sophie learned more about how area organizations work against these conditions to help women facing sexual and gender-based violence.

She also visited a village to meet the wives of Somali fighters, speaking to the women about the challenges they face while their husbands are fighting to secure the country.

On February 25, Sophie headed to Kenya, kicking off her visit by meeting with President William Rutton at State House in Nairobi. Afterwards, she met artisans working at Kazuri Beads, which provides local women with employment opportunities to help achieve economic independence.

Her trip comes a week after her brother-in-law, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former Duke of York’s association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has raised numerous questions about what the Royal Family, in particular Queen Elizabeth, knew in regards to his misconduct.

Sophie’s husband, Prince Edward, was the first member of the family to publicly address his brother’s scandal when he was asked about it during a conference in the Middle East. "Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is the least bit interested in that," he stated, noting, "I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this."

For Duchess Sophie, it seems the best course of action is to continue doing what she does best—fighting for women’s rights behind the scenes.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor became the first member of the British Royal Family to be arrested in more than 350 years after police took him into custody on Thursday, February 19. The former Duke of York, who turned 66 on Thursday, was released after being held for roughly 11 hours at the Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk, England. Although King Charles expressed his "full support" for the investigation, royal journalist and author Robert Jobson told People that there could be larger implications for the Royal Family.

The ex-Duke of York was taken from The King's Sandringham estate and arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday morning, as the BBC first reported. Andrew, who formerly served as a trade envoy for the U.K., has been accused of sharing confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein after emails between the two were released by the Department of Justice in January.

"When these things went on, he was Prince Andrew, Duke of York," Jobson told People. "He was right at the heart of the Royal Family and appointed by the late Queen and the government. It is one thing kicking him out now and saying he is a bad apple, but they didn’t have due diligence in place."

Jobson continued that if members of the Royal Family were aware of what Andrew had done, the consequences could be severe. "The problem will be—who knew what and when and why was nothing done?" he asked.

"If it comes out that people knew stuff—whether it be members of the family or police or staffers—then heads must roll," the Windsor Legacy author added.

The Thames Valley Police issued a statement confirming a "man in his sixties from Norfolk" was "released under investigation" on Thursday evening, not calling the former Duke of York by name.

Jobson said that Andrew's arrest brings into question transparency within the Royal Family. "Charles is not guilty of anything here. But the monarchy needs to change," he said. "They can’t hide behind the Official Secrets Act and the lack of Freedom of Information."

"They have to be as accountable and transparent as a government department," the royal expert continued. "All these whispers here or there, they have to be much firmer in the way they approach things. The lack of accountability and the lack of transparency has led to complacency which has led to this problem."

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie's daughter Lady Louise Windsor has inherited the carriage driving bug from her late grandfather, Prince Philip, and her University of St Andrews boyfriend can often be found cheering from the sidelines at competitions. Louise met fellow student Felix da Silva-Clamp at the Scottish university famously attended by Prince William and Princess Kate, and according to one equestrian insider, Louise and Felix are a very "normal" couple.

Carriage driving trainer Sara Howe often encounters the duo at competitions, and she told Hello! that Felix has "always been very supportive, but also leaves her alone to get on with the job."

Louise's boyfriend is a regular on the carriage driving circuit and was spotted with Louise, Duchess Sophie and Prince Philip's close friend, Penny Knatchbull, at the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials last summer along with other competitions.

"They join in and they help and they talk. They're just lovely," Howe told Hello! She added that the couple "certainly aren't put out on a pedestal and that nobody can go anywhere near them. They're totally the opposite from that."

Along with Felix, Duchess Sophie is a regular supporter at Louise's carriage-driving competitions—and she takes the part in the sport herself.

"Her mother is very supportive, and her brother turns up as well sometimes," Howe added. "Mum, nine times out of ten, she turns up because, again, she's another carriage driver. She's heavily involved."

Duchess Sophie takes part in "Concours d'Elegance," a different side to carriage driving that focuses on showmanship and "looking beautiful in lovely carriages," as Howe noted. She praised the royals participating in the niche sport, adding, "It's a very family thing that they're doing."

Purple has long been a symbol of royalty, making February’s birthstone, amethyst, prime for royal sparkle. Surprisingly, it's not a stone that frequently features in British royal jewelry, but Queen Elizabeth wore one incredible amethyst brooch with ties to Queen Victoria.

The Kent Amethyst Brooch was originally owned by Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, who passed it down to her daughter. It later became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth's, and Oliver Hobart, jewelry expert and creative director at wholesale jeweler 925E, tells Marie Claire that the late Queen wore it "in carefully considered moments."

"Long before major Brazilian deposits made the stone more widely available in the 19th century, amethyst was considered as precious as diamonds, rubies and sapphires," the jewelry pro says. He adds that Kent Amethyst brooch is a "significant" example of the stone, with the piece "originally part of a demi-parure assembled in the early 19th century for the Duchess of Kent."

The set also includes a pair of amethyst and diamond drop earrings and a whopper of a necklace, which the late Queen wore together with the brooch for a 1985 state banquet in Portugal.

"When Queen Victoria later designated the set an heirloom of the Crown, she ensured its passage through successive generations, embedding it within royal continuity rather than fashion," Hobart adds.

The brooch features a "striking hexagonal amethyst framed by diamonds, complete with detachable pendants that subtly alter its scale," per the jewelry pro. Queen Elizabeth, however, preferred to wear the piece on its own, although she did attach its three dangling pendants for select occasions.

Although purple is such a symbol of royalty, Hobart says the late Queen "was not known for gravitating toward amethyst in the way she did pearls or sapphires, which makes her appearances in the Kent brooch more telling."

"She tended to wear it in carefully considered moments, often paired with purple ensembles that allowed the color to deepen rather than compete," he notes. "It added a different register to her jewelry wardrobe, less about brilliance, more about tone and substance."

King Charles and Queen Camilla rolled out the green carpet for a historic film premiere hosted at Windsor Castle, with British royalty and Hollywood royalty both in attendance. The first-ever glamorous film event hosted at a royal castle spotlighted King Charles’s Amazon Prime documentary, Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, and Duchess Sophie attended the event looking incredibly harmonious in a satin green dress from Galvan.

The dress was described as “an ankle-grazing gown made from swathes of sumptuous silk” by PorterEdit, who declared the dress “a sure-fire way to make a dramatic entrance." Duchess Sophie looked incredible in the “figure-skimming silhouette” that was “guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd.” The emerald hue—along with the fact that Duchess Sophie has worn this frock several times—matched the eco-conscious theme of the evening. Galvan was founded in London in 2012, “for women by women.” The brand creates “timeless, modern pieces that empower” and designs that are “seemingly effortless and always luxurious.”

Duchess Sophie attended the special viewing and then attended a reception following the film, where she chatted with Hollywood royalty like Kate Winslet, who narrates the film, Dame Judy Dench, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The event brought together major players in film and television to raise awareness for The King’s project, and his hope to make people aware that “we are actually nature ourselves, we are a part of it, not apart from it.” Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, will be available to watch on Prime Video from Friday, February 6.

The Duchess of Edinburgh paired her green-hued dress with a pair of beaded statement earrings and added a touch of royal sparkle with a bracelet from Chopard. Simple black suede pumps from Dior completed the look. Duchess Sophie, who turned 61-years-old last week, proved there is no age limit on a sexy, slinky satin dress.

As the monarch, King Charles is able to request pretty much any food item he desires. But according to a former royal chef, The King previously had several important "instructions," and he didn't like deviating from one breakfast habit in particular.

During an appearance in Channel 5's Secrets of the Royal Kitchen documentary, former Royal Family chef Darren McGrady revealed that Charles especially enjoyed eating fruit from his own garden at Highgrove House. "The instruction was to put two plums and a little juice into the bowl, and send it in to him for breakfast," McGrady said (via Hello! magazine).

However, the royal chef soon realized that Charles often didn't eat both plums. "I'd send in two plums and he would take one so it would come back out after breakfast, and I'd put the other plum back into the jar and save it," McGrady explained.

According to the outlet, McGrady decided to make a "small change" to King Charles's breakfast habit. "One morning I thought, 'Okay he only eats one for breakfast, so I only put one plum into the bowl and sent it out into the dining room."

Unfortunately, McGrady's idea reportedly didn't go down very well with The King. "The attending [staff member] came through and said, 'Can His Royal Highness have two please?' So I had to keep sending two in every morning," the former royal chef said.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, detailed King Charles's updated breakfast habits in the 2024 book Cooking and the Crown. Parker Bowles said Charles's morning meal of dried fruit and honey was "a thoroughly modern, and healthy, start to the day."

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, celebrates her 61st birthday today. The bright and bubbly wife of Prince Edward—the late Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son—has cemented herself as a key figure within the royal family, and has become an “invaluable mentor” to Princess Kate over the years.

Speaking to OK!, former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond said, “I'm sure it's been a comfort for the princess to know that Sophie was on hand during the last difficult couple of years.” Sophie Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward in 1999, so she had a head-start on royal life before welcoming Princess Kate into the family in 2011. "Life has thrown these two women together quite randomly, and landed them on what must have seemed like an alien planet at first," Bond said recently. "The rest of us can only imagine what it must be like to find yourself suddenly inside palace walls."

The Princess of Wales reportedly described Duchess Sophie as a "tower of strength" during the last few years. Now that both royal women have established their roles within the royal family, they can enjoy the unique kinship of each other’s company. "I think they're now much more like friends than aunt and niece,” the former BBC royal correspondent shared. “The two of them have established a very solid friendship which will serve our future Queen well in years to come."

On Princess Kate’s birthday, she shared her thoughts on the healing power of nature and found herself “reflecting on how deeply grateful” she is for each passing year. Speaking of the January weather, she said “even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience, and quiet consideration.” Duchess Sophie also shares a January birthday, and both women surely celebrated with reflection and gratitude.

Duchess Sophie has been hitting the ground running in the New Year, penning a powerful essay about the war in Sudan and visiting a number of her patronages since her first royal engagement of 2026 on January 9. On Thursday, January 15, the duchess joined husband Prince Edward for a special day out in Rotherham, England, debuting a new burgundy outfit a day after visiting the heroes of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

On Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visited Skills Street, a space that allows young people to discover careers through interactive play, learning about the facility and taking part in a hands-on flight simulator. For their visit, Sophie chose a new burgundy dress by Reiss, wearing the brand's cozy Belted Knit Pleated Midi Dress—which happens to be more than 50 percent off at the moment.

She covered up with a long maroon wool coat, keeping the burgundy theme going with pointy wine-colored boots and a new crossbody bag by one of her favorite brands, Sophie Habsburg.

Princess Kate is also a huge fan of burgundy. She's worn the color to a number of recent events, but Kate opted for a brighter red hue on Thursday when she wore a bold Alexander McQueen suit for a reception at Windsor Castle.

On Wednesday, Duchess Sophie turned to business-like brown separates, wearing a blazer and herringbone-patterned Victoria Beckham trousers to visit the Thames Valley Air Ambulance headquarters.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, who received emergency surgery in 2001 after being airlifted for an ectopic pregnancy, has credited the ambulance's crew for their role in saving her life. On Thursday, she visited its headquarters, meeting with employees and even trying out CPR on a dummy. The visit was called a "morale boost" for the organization, which helped a record-breaking number of patients in 2025.

"As a former patient and our Royal Patron, The Duchess has always been passionate about our mission and the work our charity does every day," the Thames Valley Air Ambulance wrote on Instagram. "We are truly honoured to have been able to welcome her and share how her continued support keeps us at the frontline of saving lives."

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This January marks 27 years since Prince Edward announced his engagement to Sophie Rhys-Jones—now Duchess Sophie—in 1999. The PR professional showed off a sparkling three-stone ring during their engagement photo call, and former royal butler Grant Harrold is now revealing the symbolic meaning behind the diamond style.

Speaking on behalf of Slots Temple, Harrold explains how the trilogy ring design represents the couple. "I think Prince Edward’s choice of engagement ring is really meaningful and very romantic," the former butler to King Charles said. "He gave Sophie a stunning oval diamond with a heart-shaped diamond on either side, estimated to have been worth about £105,000 at the time."

The diamond ring, which features a two-carat center stone, was created by royal-favorite jeweler Asprey & Garrard, known as Garrard today.

"I think this trilogy style ring is very special as the three stones represent the past, the present and the future," Harrold continued, calling it "a lovely idea for an engagement ring."

Three-stone engagement rings are a popular design for many brides, including Meghan Markle, who wears a similar design. Harrold added, "The Royal Family are really into the meaning behind big gestures and I think this style of ring is the perfect example of that."

Edward and Sophie were married on June 19, 1999 at St George's Chapel in Windsor, with the now-Duchess of Edinburgh wearing a romantic, medieval-inspired gown by Samantha Shaw and a tiara that was created especially for her using heirloom royal pieces.

"I met them just before they got married," Harrold shared. "They’re a really lovely couple and so loved by the rest of the Royal Family."