Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked solemn yesterday as she donned all black for her first public engagement since it was announced that Katharine, Duchess of Kent had passed away.
The royal, 60, is currently on a four-day visit to Canada and arrived in the country on Thursday night before news of the Duchess’ death was announced on Friday morning.
At 92, Katharine, the wife of the late Queen’s cousin, became the oldest member of the royal family following Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022.
Prince Edward‘s wife Sophie was the first member of the royal family to be seen since her death, attending a pre-arranged engagement to Spruce Meadows, a multi-purpose sports facility near Calgary in Alberta, on Friday.
Sophie was seen with a solemn expression as she carried out her duties, and appeared to be wearing mourning attire, dressing in a simple shirtdress from Gabriela Hearst with a black tie around her waist.
She opted for pared-back jewellery, including Adore earrings, and at times shielded her expression behind her brown Stella McCartney sunglasses.
It is believed that members of the royal family will usually carry a black mourning outfit with them whenever they travel in case news breaks while they are still abroad.
The rule stems from 1952, when Queen Elizabeth had to wait on her plane after returning from Africa to change into appropriate mourning attire after the death of her father, King George VI.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is currently on a four-day visit to Canada and visited Spruce Meadows yesterday
She was seen with a solemn expression in her first public engagement since news of the Duchess of Kent’s passing
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Readers’ Digest previously: ‘They have to bring a black suit and tie, a dress or similar to be prepared if someone in the family dies while they’re away. This is a rule that has been in place for over seven decades and is closely followed.’
During her visit to the sports facility yesterday, built by the Southern family which opened in 1975, Sophie met with Linda Southern-Heathcott President and CEO of Spruce Meadows.
After attending a private roundtable meeting, Sophie was seen speaking with 94-year-old Margaret Southern.
Later, she met artists and viewed their work in the Horizons Art Pavilion and met local sellers in the Equi-Plex Shopping and Spirits Marketplace, including sisters Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, from Calgary, who invented the ‘Small Bits of Happiness’.
In the evening, she changed into florals for the Six Bar Challenge show jumping event, also at Spruce Meadows, of which she is patron.
Spruce Meadows has close royal ties, with Queen Elizabeth II visiting in 1990 to open an event in her name.
The venue’s president and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott said Sophie’s visit was ‘the most wonderful way in which we could have possibly celebrated our 50th Anniversary year’.
‘My family and I are both delighted and humbled at the prospect of hosting Her Royal Highness at Spruce Meadows,’ she said in a statement.
The Duchess of Edinburgh arrives at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, as part of her visit to Canada
After attending a private roundtable meeting, Sophie was seen speaking with 94-year-old Margaret Southern
Sophie was seen with a solemn expression as she carried out her duties, and appeared to be wearing mourning attire
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, is pictured with Duchess Sophie at William and Kate’s wedding in 2011
Buckingham Palace yesterday announced the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent
‘We were so thrilled to be accepted as one of her Royal Patronages earlier this year, and look forward to demonstrating the many ways in which Spruce Meadows endeavours to live up to that honour.
‘We hope Her Royal Highness will enjoy her time here, as much as we will most certainly appreciate welcoming her.’
Sophie is returning to her royal duties after a summer break and will be in Canada until Sunday.
It is her first time in the nation since 2023 to celebrate Spruce Meadows’ 50th anniversary.
On Friday, Buckingham Palace announced news that the Duchess of Kent had died at the age of 92.
One of the most glamorous royals of her generation, she was also admired for her determination to forge her own path and life-long dedication to charity work and was an elegant fixture at Wimbledon.
She captured the hearts of the nation when she consoled Czech star Jana Novotna as she broke down in tears on Centre Court after losing to reigning champion Steffi Graf in 1993.
The Duchess died at Kensington Palace on Thursday night, surrounded by members of her family. She is survived by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and their three children.
Sophie is returning to her royal duties after a summer break and will be in Canada until Sunday
The Duchess of Edinburgh, shares a joke with Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers during her visit to Spruce Meadows
Linda Southern-Heathcott President and CEO of Spruce Meadows (right) accompanies the Duchess of Edinburgh
Prince Edward ‘s wife Sophie was the first member of the royal family to be seen since the Duchess of Kent’s death
The Duchess of Edinburgh meets sisters Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, from Calgary
In the evening, she changed into florals for the Six Bar Challenge show jumping event, also at Spruce Meadows, of which she is patron
Her sad passing was announced on social media by the Royal Family’s official Twitter account.
A death notice was placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace, where the Union Flag was flown at half mast. In 1992 she famously converted to Catholicism, and is expected to have a Catholic funeral in a week’s time in accordance with her wishes.
‘It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent’, the Royal Family’s midday statement said.
‘Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
‘The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people’.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, attends the State Banquet given by Former Polish President Lech Walesa in honor of the Queen on April 25, 1991
In a statement signed ‘W & C’, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.
‘The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family’.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Duchess of Kent brought ‘compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did’, as he paid tribute following her death.
The duchess, who had been unwell for sometime, died at Wren House, her marital home in Kensington Palace, surrounded by close family late on Thursday evening. The cause of death has not been released.
No further details about the cause of the duchess’s death have been released.
