Sophie was spotted at the first royal garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace today, wearing an elegant Erdem dress paired with a Jane Taylor hat.
The Duchess appeared alongside other royals as King Charles and Queen Camilla kicked off the garden party season on a partly sunny afternoon in London.
Princess Anne and the Gloucesters were also present, whereas Prince William and Princess Kate were not in attendance.
The royal garden party saw thousands of guests gather at the Palace grounds, with the Royal Family greeting attendees after appearing on the garden steps.
Duchess of Edinburgh steps into spotlight with £1,595 dress as Kate misses party
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Sophie's stylish ensemble perfectly suited the occasion, which traditionally calls for day dresses with hats or fascinators for female guests.
She wore the "Long Sleeve Draped Midi Dress" from Erdem, which retails for £1,595.
The luxury garment is cut from stretch cady fabric and features elegant draping at the hip. It falls to an asymmetric hem, creating a sophisticated silhouette perfect for formal royal engagements.
Completing her elegant ensemble, Sophie paired the Erdem dress with a hat by renowned milliner Jane Taylor.
The Duchess of Edinburgh stood in between Princess Anne and Prince Edward
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The distinctive headpiece is not new to the royal's wardrobe.
She first wore this particular Jane Taylor creation at Royal Ascot in 2015, demonstrating her sustainable approach to royal fashion.
Jane Taylor is a favourite designer among the Royal Family for formal headwear.
The garden party on May 7 marked the beginning of the royal summer social season at Buckingham Palace.
Sophie also wore a Jane Taylor hat
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Each summer, the Sovereign typically hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at Holyroodhouse in Scotland.
More than 30,000 people are invited to these events collectively each year.
Guests are nominated for their community service through a national network of sponsors.
The Duchess of Edinburgh attended to support the King and Queen
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The dress code for palace garden parties is formal but more relaxed than for other royal events.
Men typically wear morning dress or suits, while women opt for day dresses with hats.
At each event, guests consume approximately 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches, and 20,000 slices of cake.
