The Duchess of Edinburgh looked effortlessly chic as she visited a youth centre for autistic children this morning.
Sophie, 58, was taken on a tour around the Salesian Cullum Centre in Surrey, where she learnt more about how the organisation supports young people in the local community.
For the occasion, the mother-of-two – who has been a patron of the National Autistic Society since 2003 – wore a smart tan blazer over a pretty pink floral co-ord by Victoria Beckham.
She paired the short-sleeved top and midi skirt with a finely tailored tan wool jacket from luxury Italian designer MaxMara.
Finishing off her neutral ensemble, Sophie opted for a tan leather clutch bag and nude swede heels.
Duchess Sophie, 58, headed to the Salesian Cullum Centre in Surrey where she met autistic children
She added a pop of sparkle with a pair of daisy-shaped earrings and a few gold rings.
Keeping her makeup minimal, Sophie wore opted for a soft smokey eye with a dash of mascara and eyeliner.
She completed some rosy-toned blush and a radiant light pink lipstick. Keeping her hair out of her face, Sophie styled her blonde locks in an elegant half-updo.
During the visit, Sophie donned a visit as she took part in a baking lesson and also witnessed some of the painting and drawing workshops that are on offer at the charity centre.
The purpose of the royal engagement was to learn more about the centre’s mission to support autistic children and help them thrive in the mainstream school system.
She took a close interest in the cooking, baking and drawing lessons taking place at the centre, standing quietly next to the teens who were present.
She watched as one pupil expertly decorated a batch of cupcakes, while another put the final touch to a painting of a cow they had done at the centre.
Last April, Sophie shared a heartwarming statement to mark World Autism Day.
One of the pupils present proudly showed the royal his drawings during her morning visit, with Sophie taking a keen interest
The statement – released by Buckingham Palace – read: ‘Today is World Autism Day, and as patron of the National Autistic Society, it’s fantastic to see the brilliant young people, adults and organisations who have spent this week celebrating what makes them different, and promoting a better understanding of autism.
‘Almost everyone has heard of autism, but not enough people understand what it’s actually like to be autistic: the different perspectives, passions and skills autistic people can have, and how hard life can be if you don’t have the right support.
‘That is why today, and World Autism Acceptance Week this week, is so important. It gives us the opportunity to get talking about autism, and to learn more about what it’s like to be autistic, from autistic people.
‘I want to thank everyone who has shared their stories and experiences, and all those who work tirelessly to support autistic people across the UK.’
Prince Edward’s wife observed as a teen put the final touches to a painting he’s bene working on at the centre
Sophie, dressed in a pink ensemble from Victoria Beckham, took a picture with the teens who are associated with the centre
Over the weekend, Sophie was pictured doing getting some carriage driving practise around Windsor Park.
The mother-of-two, 58, cut a casual figure as she indulged in her late father-in-law’s favourite sport.
Sophie and the rest of the royal family will soon be gearing up for King Charles’ coronation in three weeks, and her husband Prince Edward has already gotten a taste of what’s to come.
The royal was offered a helping of the coronation’s quiche at a special Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, attended by faith leaders from across the country.
Hosted by the Dean of Westminster, the outdoor event was organised to inspire people to plan their own celebratory events, showing how food can bring together people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Tens of thousands of street parties are expected to be held during the coronation weekend, with people encouraged to come together across the country for the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday May 7.
Edward, 59, curiously examined a plate of the egg and spinach delicacy as culinary presenter Prue Leith cut him a slice
The Duke of Edinburgh attended the lunch with Prue Leigh, who praised the dish for being ‘seasonal’.
‘The quiche was absolutely delicious,’ she said. ‘There was no soggy bottom, the custard was not overcooked and dry, and the balance of tarragon was perfect – a really good quiche.
‘Quiche is universal. Even cold, if the ingredients are right and the pastry is nice and buttery, it will taste great.
‘I remember when quiche Lorraine was something very special 60 years ago. It is still one of the best pastries to make.’
The quiche recipe was chosen by the King and Queen Consort because it works as a sharing dish, can be served hot or cold, suits a wide range of dietary requirements and can be easily adapted to suit different tastes.
The Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has given her stamp of approval to the coronation quiche, judging the dish to be ‘absolutely delicious’
The coronation quiche, made with spinach, broad bean and tarragon , had been baked in the Buckingham Palace kitchen and was transported by the Duke of Edinburgh to the Abbey
The palace also said it tasted delicious and had the benefit of not being too complicated nor requiring costly or hard-to-source ingredients.
As the Duke of Edinburgh cut Dame Prue a slice of the quiche, he joked: ‘We’re not going to do a bake off’.
She replied: ‘It better taste as good as it sounds.’
Edward trying the Coronation quiche comes as more details continue to be revealed about the upcoming festivities next month.
On the entertainment side, Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie and global opera star Andrea Bocelli are signed up to appear at the event in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Other names unveiled by the BBC include Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, and singer Freya Ridings who will perform a duet with producer and musician Alexis Ffrench.
Some 20,000 members of the public will attend the Coronation Concert on Sunday, May 7, which will be aired on BBC1 and Radio 2 along with catch-up services.
The concert has been billed as ‘celebrating a new chapter in the nation’s history’ and will have ‘themes of love, respect and optimism’ while celebrating the ‘four nations’ and the Commonwealth.
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