Sophie, Duchess of Edinburghwore a special accessory for a debut event with her new royal title.
The newly minted Duchess of Edinburgh, 57, attended the firstCommonwealth Day ServiceofKing Charles' reign on Monday wearing the black and white pearl drop earrings from herroyal weddingday. Sophie marriedPrince Edwardon June 19, 1999, accessorizing with the striking earrings and a matching cross necklace which were a gift from the groom.
According to theDaily Express, the prince designed the coordinating set with Asprey and Garrard, the jeweler behind Sophie’sengagement ring.
The royal rewear marks the third time Sophie has sported her wedding earrings in recent months, having worn them for a visit to Whizz-Kidz in Guildford, England on Dec. 1 and again at Britannia Royal Naval College two weeks later.
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The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
A few hours after Buckingham Palace announced that Charles, 74, conferred the dukedom upon his brother, Prince Edward and Sophie paid theirfirst visit to Edinburghas the new Duke and Duchess.
There, they met with members of the Ukrainian community at Edinburgh’s City Chambers to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine. During the reception, the royals met members of the Ukrainian and Eastern European diaspora in Edinburgh, including families who have made the city their home since the beginning of the conflict last year.
In a speech, Prince Edward said, “Thank you very much indeed for welcoming us to Edinburgh today on, indeed, a very special and slightly overwhelming day.” He then referred to Sophie as “my wife and Duchess,” prompting laughs from the crowd.
“But I also want to express my thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make our Ukraine friends feel so very welcome,” he added.
Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty
It had beenPrince Philip’s wish that his youngest son would receive the Duke of Edinburgh title after his death. On Prince Edward and Sophie’s wedding day, Buckingham Palace even indicated that the appellation was earmarked for them,The Timesreported.
Despite this, whenPrince Philip died in 2021, the title went to Prince Charles (now King Charles) as his eldest son. Reports swirled that Charles would hold onto the title, with some commentatorssaying it would not go to Edward and Sophieas he mulled what to do with it.
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After waiting several months since becoming monarch, King Charles poignantly handed his brother the long-awaited title on his birthday.
On the eve of his wedding in 1947 to then-Princess Elizabeth,Prince Philipwas made the Duke of Edinburgh, Baron Greenwich and Earl of Merioneth. The newlyweds were known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh until Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, whilePrince Philipretained his Duke of Edinburgh styling throughout life.
source: people.com
