The Duchess of Edinburgh read a personal message from King Charles during her trip to Italy.
Sophie read the monarch’s message of remembrance during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cassino over the weekend.
Standing on a podium, the duchess spoke on behalf of the King who recalled the hardships of the Italian people during World War II.
The mother-of-two wore a Suzannah London silk dress depicting a painted landscape with a Sophie Habsburg nude bag.
The Duchess of Edinburgh spoke on behalf of the King in Italy
X/ @RoyalFamily
She matched her outfit with pearl-coloured heels and pulled her hair back into an elegant updo to reveal delicate, red earrings.
The message from the monarch read: “80years ago, the Battle of Monte Cassino concluded with an Allied victory which opened the Road to Rome and marked the beginning of the end for the occupation of Italy.
“The actions of the courageous men and women who achieved success here were vital to enabling the landings in Normandy a few weeks later.
“On this 80th Anniversary, let us pause to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by so many for the cause of freedom in Europe - perhaps ever more poignant today.
Sophie stands with WWII veteran Jack Hearn (centre) and the British Ambassador to Italy Lord Edward Llewellyn (left) at the ceremony
X/ @RoyalFamily
“Let us remember all those who fought in the campaign, including the lives of the Commonwealth personnel who never returned home and lie, or are remembered, in the Cassino War Cemetery. And let us also recall the hardships, service and suffering of the Italian civilian population during this period.”
During the event, the duchess was pictured standing alongside WWII veteran Jack Hearn and the British Ambassador to Italy Lord Edward Llewellyn.
At another point of the visit, she shook hands and made conversation with the Polish Ambassador to Italy Anna Maria Anders.
The King’s message concluded: “Coming together to honour the fallen on this hallowed ground, reminds us that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were won at a great cost, and bring with them great responsibilities for our generations and those yet unborn.
The duchess also visited a Polish memorial and Monte Cassino Abbey during her visit
Getty
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The Duchess of Edinburgh also travelled to Ukraine in April
Getty“Such sacrifice can never be forgotten.”
On the first day of the duchess’s trip to Italy, she visited a Polish memorial and Monte Cassino Abbey.
For her visit to the abbey, the duchess wore another Suzannah London maxi dress with colourful dots and a beige and coral clutch.
She completed her look with a beige Eleventy wool blend blazer worth £382.