Duchess Sophie debuts swishiest dress – with poignant nod to late Queen Elizabeth

The dress, a new addition to Sophie's wardrobe, featured a subtle nod to one of the late Queen's greatest passions, horse riding, with the delicate print.

"White, particularly in a soft, ivory tone, has a way of elevating a look instantly, giving it clarity, polish and a sense of occasion without feeling heavy," fashion stylist Oriona Robb tells us of Sophie's choice. "It creates a visual lightness that reads as refined and deliberate, especially against the more muted, darker palettes typically seen at formal engagements." 

This element of her look also coordinated with her husband, who wore a horse print tie in tribute to his late mother. The late Queen was a skilled horse rider who rode for pleasure and in a ceremonial context during the annual Trooping the Colour parade.

The dress also featured a swishy A-line skirt, a tie belt waist, and an elegant collared neckline. As far as her accessories were concerned, the mother-of-two added elevated touches in the form of Jimmy Choo's 'Love 85 Pumps in Brown Croc', as well as Radley London's 'Small Liverpool Street Grab Bag in Chalk'.

The royal swept her sandy blonde hair off her shoulders and into an elegant updo, revealing the 'Small Drop Earrings' by Giulia Barela. 

Despite missing the royal family reunion on Easter Sunday due to feeling "under the weather", Sophie did make an appearance at the Defying Limits, Defining Art: 70 Years of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists exhibition, in The Lindley Hall at the Royal Horticultural Halls on 15 April. 

Much like her chosen look for the outing on the anniversary of the late Queen's birth, Sophie chose to dress in classic black and white. The true star of the sartorial show was her off-white pleated skirt, which she also previously wore in her 60th birthday portrait.

She teamed the summer-ready garment with a far more structured cropped blazer by Prada, as well as the 'Rosalia 65’ Ballet Pink Patent Pointed Pumps' by Jimmy Choo. 

"This is a fantastic look for Sophie. We're so used to seeing her in full and patterned dresses, so this two-piece monochromatic option feels like a head-turning shift," Leanne Jones, a fashion stylist who trained at the London College of Style, told us at the time. 

"She often leans towards longer, more relaxed jackets, but this nipped-in waist creates a beautifully defined silhouette, while the flowing skirt softens the look and adds a feminine contrast," says Leanne.