The Duchess of Edinburgh attended the REME Memorial Day at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Lichfield on Thursday and looked mindfully resplendent in a respectful yet chic outfit.
Arriving in Staffordshire, the 61-year-old donned a beautiful navy blue dress by one of the royal ladies' favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead.
Keeping out the autumn chill, the mother of Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, added a magnificent blazer in the same hue by Alexander McQueen. This past-season buy, which is worth around £2,000, featured a sleek, single-breasted shape, finished with gold buttons and lightly padded shoulders.
© Getty ImagesThe humble blazer is a sure-fire style bet that the women of the royal family often step out in. The famously sleek separate can be worn with anything and elevates any ensemble in seconds, giving one's overall look an air of quintessential elegance.
© Getty ImagesAccessorising in style, the blonde royal added floral gold earrings by Giulia Barela, knee-high boots from L.K.Bennet and a top-handled bag from Sophie Habsburg, her go-to bag designer of choice.
The royal looked to have expertly styled her bobbed hair, too. Sophie debuted the shorter style back in July, after having around four inches taken off her mane, with the shorter length finishing above her collarbone. Sophie stepped out at the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival at Lannock Farm, where she showcased her fresh look, which suited her pretty features, complemented by a fresh, visibly lighter blonde hue.
© Getty ImagesSince then, she's experimented with the texture, adding flicks, waves and curls. The royal, who has been married to Prince Edward for 27 years, had long hair for over a decade, although she notably sported a shorter cut in 2011.
Sophie's tearful appearance
The Duchess was visibly moved by the proceedings, which were in honour of the Corps, who marked their 84th birthday with the dedication of a new memorial centrepiece made by REME metalsmiths. Sophie was photographed shedding a tear during a presentation.
© Max MumbySophie is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), a prestigious role she took over in 2022, which was previously held by Prince Philip for over 50 years.
