Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attends the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 21.Photo:Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburghis shining at the latest state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
Sophie arrived in something else special: her coronation gown! The Duchess of Edinburgh recycled the bespoke cream Suzannah Crabb dress that she first wore to the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in May.
Exclusively speaking toPEOPLE, Crabb said she wanted to make “something unique, iconic, but in a quiet way” and wanted Sophie to “feel amazing and confident” in the dress. Crabb is known for her classic and feminine designs, and incorporated a few “gentle British touches,” taking inspiration from London-based ceramic artist Rachel Dein for the design of the floral embroidery.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attends the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 21.Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Royal watchers got a better glimpse of the gown at the state banquet, as it had beenmostly concealedbeneath the blue robes she wore to the crowning ceremony. Fans got a full look at the custom creation in one of the groupcoronation portraitsthat the palace released after, though the official picture was taken from a distance!
Prince Edward and Sophie on the May 6 coronation day.Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Like her coronation gown, Sophie’s tiara might look familiar, as it’s a favorite in her jewelry box. According toThe Court Jeweller, the striking sparkler with a large center gem with wave-like arrays of diamonds was made especially for Sophie. The royal first debuted it at the enthronement festivities forPrince Albert IIof Monaco in 2005 and has twinkled in it ever since.
In an interesting twist, the tiara is convertible, and can alternatively be worn as a necklace. Sophie styled it this way for a London gala in 2006, with the diamond waves cascading down.
Sophie in 2005; Sophie in 2006.Getty (2)
The Duchess of Edinburghmost recently wore it forthe state banquet celebrating the state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the U.K. in November 2022.
The royal seems to reach for blue-hued jewels, borrowingQueen Elizabeth’s aquamarine ribbon tiara to wear for the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O’Neill in 2013.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in the Aquamarine Tiara in November 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty
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, theRoyal Collection Trustreported. The newlyweds were known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh until the Queen acceded the throne in 1952, while Prince Philip retained his Duke of Edinburgh styling throughout life.
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It was previously believed that the dukedom of Edinburgh would eventually pass toPrince Edward; the title returned to the crown following Prince Philip’s death in April 2021. The third and youngest son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Rhys-Jones became the Earl and Countess of Wessex after they married in 1999. On Edward and Sophie’s wedding day, Buckingham Palace even indicated that the Edinburgh appellation was earmarked for them,The Timesreported.
Aftermonths of speculationfollowing Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, King Charles announced on Prince Edward’s 59th birthday that he conferred the Duke of Edinburgh title on his younger brother. Sophie became the Duchess of Edinburgh in the same sweep.
The couplevisited Edinburghthat day for the first time with their new titles, with Edward calling it a “very special and slightly overwhelming day.” He then sweetly referred to Sophie as “my wife and Duchess,” prompting laughs from the crowd.
Sophie and Edward visited Edinburgh, Scotland for the first time as the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on March 10.JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
source: people.com
