Duchess of Edinburgh is in her element as she cheerfully greets children at RAF Wittering

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was glowing in a vibrant green jacket today as she visited the Royal Air Force (RAF) Wittering base located in Peterborough. The royal, who recently turned 60, is Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Wittering, which is the main operating base and headquarters for the RAF Support Force and an important site for flying training. Dressed in a green tweed jacket - one of Sophie's favourite's, which she first wore in May 2022 - the smiling duchess appeared delighted to be meeting with members of the RAF Support Force, as well as their little ones.

Making her commitment to her honorary post known, she added a gold RAF 'wings' brooch to the right of her lapel. Belted at the waist, Sophie's jacket paired perfectly with her wide-leg brown trousers, cream turtleneck and high-heeled tan boots. Gold jewellery, including a pair of hoop earrings and a pendant necklace, completed her ensemble. The mother-of-two wore her blond hair brushed back in an elegant chignon for the outing and kept her make-up natural.

During the course of Thursday's visit to RAF Wittering, Sophie met with members of the Mobile Catering Squadron and, perhaps unexpectedly, two of their little girls. During the course of her visit to RAF Wittering, Sophie met members of the Mobile Catering Squadron - and even their little ones. The Duchess appeared especially animated with the young children and did her best to try to get a smile out of one of the toddlers.

Later on, she was seen placing an upside down blue cup on another child's head, so it resembled a hat, which provoked laughter from the little girl and her mother. Sophie was also given a tour of the base by uniformed officers and could be seen talking to a number of individuals. Before the end of the outing, she added a message to what appeared to be a visitors book. Sophie was appointed Honorary Air Commodore in 2008 by the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

In the post, the Duchess is focused on promoting the role of the air force amongst the general public. Sophie was especially animated when she was playing with a toddler, who appeared equally amused. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured), donned a favourite green tweed jacket today for a visit to Royal Air Force Wittering. The royal, who recently turned 60, wore a gold RAF 'wings' brooch on her jacket for the visit to what is the main operational base of the RAF Support Force.

Sophie met with officers during her outing to RAF Wittering  located in Peterborough. The Duchess was seen signing what appeared to be a visitors book towards the end of her outing. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have only recently returned from a six-day state visit to Nepal, which began on Tuesday, February 4. On Sunday, soon before they returned to the UK, Sophie and Prince Edward, 60, appeared in high spirits as they immersed themselves in Nepalese culture.

The royal couple donned bright flower garlands as they visited Gurung community centre and museum in Ghandruk, a hill village near Pokhara, on the final day of their trip. The Gurung villages share historic links to the British Army, and many young Nepalis from the area are recruited into the Brigade of Gurkhas, which are units of the British Army. Sophie and Edward's visit celebrated close relations between the UK and Nepal, with King Charles previously visiting in 1998 before Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's trip in 1961.

Sophie, dressed in hiking gear, mirrored the locals and put her hands together to greet community members during the tour. Meanwhile, Edward, who also opted for practical attire in a khaki puffer jacket and navy trousers, followed suit while walking behind his wife. Edward, who was made Duke of Edinburgh in 2023, and his wife also visited the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal on Saturday. Sophie paired her green jacket with brown wide-leg trousers and high-heeled tan boots for the occasion.

The mother-of-two was given a tour of the base by two officers. She was also seen looking at the supplies prepared for officers by the Mobile Catering Squadron. Sophie kept her make-up natural for the visit but brightened her complexion with gold jewellery. As Honorary Air Commodore, Sophie plays an important role in promoting the work of the Royal Air Force amongst the public. She visited the Heritage Centre within RAF Wittering and was given a tour by an officer.

Sophie looked on approvingly as she was given a tour of RAF Wittering. The Annapurna range is part of the Himalayas, less than 200 miles from Mount Everest, and the region has historic links with the Gurkhas. Meanwhile, the main Annapurna mountain is, at 26,545 feet tall, the 10th highest peak on Earth, and the overall conservation area covers a just under 3,000 square miles near Nepal's border with Tibet.