The Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out in a stylish burgundy ensemble alongside her family for the royal Easter church service on Sunday.
Sophie, 60, looked to be enjoying the Easter Sunday sunshine as she strolled alongside her husband Prince Edward, 61, and their son James Earl of Wessex, 17, ahead of the Easter Matins service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, Berkshire.
The mother-of-two, an increasingly important figure in the royal family, looked elegant in a tailored plum double breasted overcoat, which stylishly flared out at the hem, donning a crisp collared white dress underneath.
She matched the stand-out piece with a purple clutch bag, a rose-coloured fascinator and glossy nude kitten heels.
The Duke of Edinburgh looked smart in a grey suit with a brown patterned tie and was seen chatting to his youngest child, James, the Earl of Wessex as the family made their way to the seasonal service.
The teenager – who towered over both of his parents – took a leaf out of his father’s book as he donned a smart suit, with a navy and red tie.
The Earl is now taller than his father, who is thought to be around 6ft – photos from last year’s Sunday service show them at the same height.
His sister and Sophie and Edward’s eldest child Lady Louise Windsor, 21, was missing from this year’s service.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, sported a plum double breasted overcoat with nude coloured heels as she stepped out in the Easter sunshine
James, Earl of Wessex, has now outgrown his father, Prince Edward, (both far left) who is thought to be 6ft tall
Sophie and Edward’s eldest child, Lady Louise Windsor (pictured in December) was absent from this year’s church service
She is currently in her third year of studying for an English undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
It is thought that Lady Louise is currently studying for her exams, which start on a couple of weeks time on May 10 and finish on May 26.
She is thought to have been Queen Elizabeth’s ‘favourite grandchild’ as royal expert Ingrid Seward explained that Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, ‘were the grandchildren that they saw the most.’
James still lives at Bagshot Park, a 17th-century estate near Windsor, with his parents, whereas Lady Louise relocated up north to Scotland a couple of years ago when she started her university course.
He is the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and he was born James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor in Surrey on December 17, 2007.
The Sunday service, which runs for one hour from 10.45am until 11.45am, has been a key date in the royal family‘s calendar for centuries.
For the occasion Sophie wore her golden tresses up in a practical low bun, pairing the classic hairstyle with beaded dangly earrings.
The royal opted for natural makeup, wearing a hint of pink eyeshadow with matching lipstick to compliment her wardrobe choice.
Sophie, 60, looked in high spirts as she gathered with her husband Prince Edward, 61, and their son James Earl of Wessex , 17, for the traditional Easter Matins service in the 15th century Windsor chapel in Berkshire
She matched the stand-out piece with a purple clutch bag, a rose-coloured fascinator and glossy nude kitten heels
Sophie wore her golden tresses up in a practical low bun, pairing the classic hairstyle with beaded dangly earrings
It was revealed that the Prince and Princess of Wales will not be at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, as they are spending the weekend with their children in Norfolk.
On Friday, a source had said the couple are choosing to spend time together as a family before Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis go back to school, The Mirror reported.
The Waleses, who have a country home, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham estate, missed the annual service last year after Kate, who is now in remission, was diagnosed with cancer.
Last year saw the King mark his return to public life following treatment for cancer at the traditional Easter service.
Last week, the Queen paid tribute to the King’s sense of duty saying he ‘loves his work’ and wants to do ‘more and more and more’ as he gets better. Camilla said Charles, 76, who is receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, was ‘driven’ by helping others and indicated his cancer journey was one of ‘recovery’.
Last month, the King experienced temporary side effects following treatment at the London Clinic, which required a short period of hospital observation that day.
Charles’s Easter Sunday appearance last year was his first major public one following his cancer diagnosis.
He was applauded by the crowds as he greeted well-wishers who urged him to ‘keep going strong’.
