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Duchess Sophie surprises in overalls as she returns to royal duties after Easter Sunday outing

The Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out in Portsmouth


Duchess of Edinburgh attends Easter Sunday church service
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
On 11 April 2023
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The Duchess of Edinburgh returned to her duties on Tuesday after spending the Easter weekend with her family.

After wowing in a berry Catherine Walker coat for the Easter Sunday church service in Windsor, Sophie, 58, donned white overalls for her latest engagement.

The hands-on royal visited HMS Daring at the King's Naval Base in Portsmouth, where she met with personnel from the Royal Navy and BAE Systems Maritime, who are supporting the ship's upkeep.

The Duchess wore full protective equipment over a camel-hued outfit to tour HMS Daring, which has been under refit since June 2020.

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Sophie has been HMS Daring's sponsor since 2006, having helped to launch the ship on the Clyde in Glasgow, and has paid the vessel regular visits since then.

RELATED: Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward's royal family record revealed

The royal mum-of-two's outing comes after she stepped out with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their 15-year-old son, James, who is now the Earl of Wessex, on Easter Sunday.

The trio joined the King and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and extended members of the royal family for the church service at St George's Chapel, including Mike Tindall, who was captured on camera, making a funny comment to the waiting crowd... 

WATCH: Mike Tindall's cheeky quip after Easter Sunday church service

One person who was noticeably missing from the service was Edward and Sophie's 19-year-old daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, who is currently studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Edward and Sophie, who are the former Earl and Countess of Wessex, were given new royal titles by the King on Edward's birthday last month.

Edward and Sophie attended the Easter Sunday church service with their son, James© Getty
Edward and Sophie attended the Easter Sunday church service with their son, James

The late Prince Philip held the title of Duke of Edinburgh from 1947 until his death in April 2021, when the title reverted to the Crown.

Buckingham Palace previously announced Edward would eventually one day succeed his father as the Duke of Edinburgh – but not until after the death of both Philip and the Queen.

The palace said at the time: "The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales have also agreed that Prince Edward should be given the dukedom of Edinburgh in due course when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown."

LISTEN: Want to hear more about the royal family? Check out the best of 'A Right Royal Podcast'

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