The Duchess of Edinburgh looked ethereal in a cream coat and matching hat as she stepped out for the Commonwealth Day service in London today.
Joining other royals like the Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales at the annual event, this is the first time Prince Edward’s wife has attended the ceremony while wearing her new title.
Sophie, formerly Countess of Wessex, was elevated to Duchess of Edinburgh last week, after it was announced that her husband Prince Edward had received the title of Duke of Edinburgh from his late father.
Arriving with her husband, the radiant mother of two wore an elegant cream dress with a matching top hat, complete with a black bow at the back, for service at Westminster Abbey.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, stunned in a cream coat and matching box hat while attending a Commonwealth Day service
The former Countess of Wessex joined her husband, Prince Edward, for the annual service at Westminster Abbey.
Sophie, 58, was accompanied by her husband, the now 59-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, and other senior members of the royal family.
She sported an agate brooch against her textured coat and opted for a matching pair of shoes and a clutch.
The elegant royal put up her blonde hair and kept her tan but neutral makeup for the service.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward wore a simple pinstriped navy suit with a brown patterned tie for the annual event.
This is the first Commonwealth Day service the couple has attended under their new titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The mother-of-two wore a stunning cream textured wrap dress with a matching hat and bag to the service.
The couple smiled as they entered Westminster Abbey for the annual service under their new titles.
Today’s service is particularly moving for the royals as it marks the first time the event has been held since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also in attendance along with King Charles and the Queen Consort, Princess Anne and hundreds of dignitaries and schoolchildren for the annual event, which is an important date on the royal calendar.
Today is also the first time the family has come together to celebrate the Commonwealth since Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Netflix series branded the Commonwealth ‘Empire 2.0’.
The Commonwealth was founded in December 1931 and currently contains 54 countries. According to the Royal Family’s website, the organization’s purpose is to “foster international cooperation and trade links between people around the world.”
Sophie pulled her blonde hair back, revealing a pair of simple pearl earrings and kept her makeup neutral.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were with Princess Anne and her husband Vince, Admiral Timothy Laurence during the service.
Sophie was seen shaking hands with attendees at Westminster Abbey and striking up a conversation.
The wife of Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, Prince Edward, sported an agate brooch on her textured cream coat.
It was last week that the King conferred the title of Duke of Edinburgh on his younger brother on the occasion of his 59th birthday on March 10.
This rise in Sophie’s royal status is a touching tribute to the late Queen’s daughter-in-law, who affectionately called her ‘Mum’.
Married to Prince Edward for 24 years, she is well known for her down-to-earth nature and was considered by the late Queen to be the safest pair of hands in The Firm.
Sophie’s previous rank as Countess of Wessex meant that she held the same rank as her husband Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore a pair of nude heels to the annual Commonwealth Day service.
Last week the King conferred the title of Duke of Edinburgh on his younger brother on the occasion of his 59th birthday.
This rise in royal status for 58-year-old Sophie is a touching tribute to the late Queen’s daughter-in-law, who affectionately called her ‘Mum’.
However, their new titles of duke and duchess have a higher rank, raising them in status to just below the monarch. Duchesses are also known as Her Royal Highness.
Meanwhile, the title of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh is one of the oldest in the Royal Family.
The move is a touching and enduring connection between the late Queen and her much-loved daughter-in-law, Sophie.
She was known as the “favorite” family member of the late monarch and his closest confidant.
