Duchess Sophie overcome with emotion during poignant Memorial Day visit

The Duchess of Edinburgh was overcome with emotion on Thursday during a poignant appearance in Staffordshire.

The royal, 61, attended the REME Memorial Day at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Lichfield and was photographed shedding a tear during a presentation. 

© Max Mumby

Dressed in respectful navy blue, 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 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.

For the occasion, Sophie wore a navy blue A-line skirt, paired with a smart blazer and collared shirt in the same hue.

© Max Mumby

Sophie teamed her navy ensemble with an autumnal pair of suede boots in grey and carried a miniature handbag in a complementary blue hue.

Sophie's big few weeks

The moving outing comes amid a big month for the Duchess, who recently returned from a trip to Zambia, which was attended by HELLO!'s Senior Reporter, Jack Malvern.

Since touching back down on British soil, Sophie has thrown herself back into work. Last week, Sophie celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Royal Mencap Society, hosted by the Financial Times.

Sophie also travelled to The Hague to attend the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) Forum.

© PA Images via Getty Images

All of this comes as the Duchess is balancing becoming an empty nester, as her son James, Earl of Wessex, leaves for University. 

James completed his A-levels at Radley College and is now studying Rural Land & Property Management at the Royal Agricultural University, which means that Bagshot Park will be a lot quieter. 

On 20 September, new students officially arrived at campus accommodation ahead of student induction on Monday, according to the university website. 

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Induction will take place from 21 to 25 September before classes begin on 28 September and run until December. 

"The Royal Agricultural University is similar to the majority of other British universities and operates its academic delivery via semesters," the university explains. 

"Programmes are taught across two semesters. For most students, your course will be taught and assessed in each semester with an examination period towards the end of each semester."