The Duchess of Edinburgh attended her first Buckingham Palace Garden Party of 2026 on Wednesday afternoon and pulled out all the stops for the occasion. She wore her favourite 'Yahvi' dress by Beulah London, which comes in the most flattering of cuts.
It featured a crew neckline, bell sleeves, and a cinched waistline, which met a full A-line skirt with a breezy hem. The figure-flattering dress also came with small, covered buttons down one side for added visual appeal and in the brightest coral hue – a lovely shade which perfectly complemented her sandy blonde hair.
© Getty ImagesWhen it comes to accessories, Sophie, 61, never misses. The Duchess opted for a bespoke version of Jane Taylor's 'Pomona' hat, which featured a large coral accent to match her dress, as well as patent court shoes by Gianvito Rossi, and the 'Moneypenny' raffia clutch by Sophie Habsburg, her go-to handbag designer.
© Getty ImagesElevating the daytime attire to the next level, the royal added Giulia Barela's 'Rocking' earrings, made from 24-carat gold-plated bronze, and a pair of earrings from Chopard's 'Happy Diamonds' collection. Sophie owns the rose-gold and diamond pendant necklace, bangle, and earrings from the collection, which collectively amount to a staggering £15,000.
Why did Sophie choose coral?
© Max Mumby/IndigoDuchess Sophie's colour choice for the Garden Party feels deeply symbolic to fashion stylist and colour expert, Sian Clarke of Styled by Sian.
"It not only marks the beginning of the summer celebration season, but also reflects a wider shift in how we feel about our relationship with fashion and self-expression when the season changes," she tells us.
© Getty Images"Coral is often associated with empathy, warmth, and listening, while also encouraging confidence and honesty. It represents not being afraid to show up, speak your truth, and embrace visibility with grace."
She adds: "Yet because coral is softened with undertones of white and pink, it never feels overpowering. Instead, it brings softness and approachability to a bold statement colour."
© GettySian also explains that wearing coral signifies optimism, energy, and a readiness to celebrate — all of which Sophie embodied beautifully at the first Garden Party of the season.
"I also think Queen Elizabeth II would have absolutely loved seeing Sophie in this beautiful coral look. The late Queen always understood the power of colour in royal dressing, and this felt like a wonderfully elegant continuation of that tradition," she concludes.
