The Duchess of Edinburgh’s style evolution as she turns 60
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The Duchess of Edinburgh joined the British royal family in 1999, when she married Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, the youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. After becoming a full-time working royal in 2002, the duchess has attended hundreds of public engagements as a Patron of over 70 charities and organisations.
Over the years, Sophie has gravitated to trends of the moment – from Nineties diamantes to Seventies suede. From Bruce Oldfield to Erdem, the duchess has frequently opted for British brands who have a chic style ethos. As Sophie turns 60 on January 20, here’s a look back at her fashion evolution since becoming royal….
The then Sophie Rhys-Jones and Prince Edward announced their engagement in 1999 with an official photo call at St. James’s Palace. The future duchess embraced a grey skirt suit emblematic of her corporate style at the time (as a public relations executive) with diamante detailing lining the lapel and pockets.
The look was smart, simple and refined, but the glittering embellishment nodded to a trend that would soon define the Noughties. The ensemble was a symbol of how Sophie would approach fashion within the royal family. For Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee year in 2002, a year before Lady Louise Windsor was born, Sophie announced she had quit her business to become a full-time working royal.
