The sun has come out just in time for Saturday’s royal wedding – and Prince Edward was certainly embracing the warm weather today as he donned a jaunty straw hat.
The Earl of Wessex, 54, was joined by his wife Sophie and brother Prince Andrew in the sunny gardens of Buckingham Palace to host a ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award gold winners.
Despite the warm temperatures, the two brothers stuck to stuffy formal suits and it was left to the Countess of Wessex to bring a touch of style.
Sophie, 53, wore a blue paisley tea dress featuring a pie crust collar which she teamed with a tailored navy blazer.
Sunny side up: The Earl of Wessex wore a straw hat in the gardens of Buckingham Palace to host a ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award gold winners
Touch of glamour: Sophie, 53, wore a blue paisley tea dress featuring a pie crust collar which she teamed with a tailored navy blazer
L-R: Sophie, Andrew and Edward arrive at the ceremony for Gold Award recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Buckingham Palace Gardens on Thursday
The royal, who is married to Lady Louise Windsor, 14 and James, Viscount Severn, 10, teamed her summery look with a pair of oversized pearl earrings and pointed nude courts.
The former PR executive, née Rhys-Jones, is expected to attend the nuptials of her nephew, Prince Harry, when he ties the knot with Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
A reluctant style icon, Sophie has previously revealed she struggled with the pressure of royal dressing after marrying into the monarchy in 1999.
Since then, Sophie has amassed an enviable wardrobe that includes a roll call of big name designers, among them Emilia Wickstead and Alexander McQueen.
Regal style: The royal, who is married to Lady Louise Windsor, 14 and James, Viscount Severn, 10, teamed her summery look with a pair of oversized pearl earrings and pointed nude courts
Andrew, 58, appeared to be in good spirits as he spent time chatting to guests at sunny Buckingham Palace. He is expected to return to his home in Windsor ahead of the wedding
The father of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie collapsed into fits of giggles as he chatted to McFly star turned children’s writer Tom Fletcher and his wife Giovanna
The Duke of York gave a short speech to winners during the ceremony today. He is expected to join ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, at Saturday’s ceremony
Clad in a charcoal grey suit, pale blue shirt and red tie, Andrew did not follow his brother’s lead with a straw hat
Famous faces: The royals were joined today by a host of celebrities including writer and comedian David Mitchell, who spent time chatting to young people during the ceremony
Clad in a form-fitting white trouser suit, X Factor star Alexandra Burke joined VIP guests on the Buckingham Palace lawn today
‘I recognise I’m on display,’ she said. ‘I remember having a chat with somebody and them saying, “You know you’ve got to recognise that this is part and parcel of what you’re doing.
“When you walk into a room, people are going to talk about what you’re doing there but they’re also going to want to know what you’re wearing.”
‘I sort of wrestled with that one for a little while and slightly caved in at the end of the day.’
According to reports, she meticulously records every item of her clothing in a digitalised wardrobe inventory at the family’s home in Bagshot Park, Surrey.
Today, the royal trio were joined by a host of famous faces, including McFly star Tom Fletcher, comedian David Mitchell and singer Alexandra Burke.
Since he founded the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in 1956, six million people have taken part and 2.7 million awards have been handed out.