The Countess of Wessex met some very special guests as she headed to a garden party held by the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The stylish royal was introduced to the six original Calendar Girls, the group of women whose lives inspired the hit film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.
© Photo: RexThe Countess of Wessex met the six original Calendar Girls
The 50-year-old was as glamorous as ever as she mingled with guests including the Duchess of Gloucester and the Queen's cousin Princess Alexandra at the afternoon tea held for the Women's Insititute – 8,000 members from the organisation were invited, with at least one representative from every branch.
Sophie looked elegant in a chic black-and-white shift gown, keeping out the chill with an elegant cropped black jacket. She completed the look with an eye-catching hat, pearl brooch and a pair of black stilettos.
Prince Edward's wife was later spotted laughing and chatting with the Calendar Girls, who were all dressed their trademark all-black ensembles and pearl necklaces, accessorising with sunflowers.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSophie was the epitome of spring chic in an elegant black-and-white gown
No doubt the women had many interesting stories to tell - the group famously appeared semi-naked for a charity calendar in 1998 to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, after one of the women, Angela Baker, lost her husband John to the illness.
While Sophie was not joined by husband Prince Edward for the afternoon, it could be the couple are making their last few preparations before they head to Stockholm later this month to attend the wedding of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSophie accessorised with an eye-catching hat
The lavish nuptials will take place on Saturday 13 June, with a roll call of European nobles set to flock to the Swedish capital for the highly anticipated royal celebration - Edward and Sophie are confirmed attendees, People reported.
This comes as no surprise as the couple regularly represent the British royal family at events overseas - they were also invited to the weddings of Carl Philip's siblings Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine.
