The Duchess of Edinburgh is currently in Kenya for a two-day visit, focused on women’s contributions to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
On Wednesday, Prince Edward’s wife had a busy day of engagements, but first met with the President of Kenya William Ruto, at the State House in Nairobi. The royal nailed formal, respectful dressing as she donned a statement item she has worn many times before, from British brand Suzannah London.
The 61-year-old chose the ‘Dolce Vita Silk Twill Shirt Dress’ by the high-end brand, which dropped into the brand’s mid-season sale, with a price tag of £657.
A unique design, it’s described online as ‘wearable art’ and is made from beautiful Italian printed silk, with a printed landscape etched on the fabric. Of the shirt dress variety, it had a sharp collar and cuffs, and the royal belted the statement design to create a Hollywood-esque hourglass shape, cinching in her waist.
The mother-of-two added nude-toned Jimmy Choo high heels and added drop earrings, letting her blonde hair flow loose.
Sophie’s designer shoes
Speaking of her heels, Sophie loves wearing neutral accessories, and the flesh-hued shoes she stepped out in on this trip have become her go-to. She often dons the luxury fashion house’s ‘Rosalia 65 Pumps in Ballet Pink Patent’; they are a permanent fixture in her working wardrobe.
Duchess Sophie’s fashion inspirations
During a special engagement with the British Fashion Council in 2021, the blonde royal said: “Britain is an island – albeit a big island – and if you look at what royal women have worn over generations, they have made huge fashion statements reflected from foreign shores, and that’s what helps make our style.”
When asked whose style she most admires, she said: “Angelina Jolie – I always think she looks amazing – and also Queen Rania of Jordan always looks stunning.”
Speaking about royal fashion and its significance during the 2016 documentary Our Queen at Ninety, the Duchess discussed why the late Queen Elizabeth II always wore a plethora of colours during engagements.
The royal explained: “Don’t forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, ten, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen’s hat as she went past. She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen’.”
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