Sophie Wessex beams as she snaps photos of Lady Louise  carriage driving at Windsor Horse Show

Sophie Wessex was every bit the proud mother today as she snapped pictures of her daughter Lady Louise carriage driving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The Countess cut an elegant figure as she arrived alongside her husband Prince Edward this morning, where they supported the Queen, 95, at one of her favourite events of the year.

The mother-of-two opted to wear a khaki green military style jacket, which she paired with a smart white skirt for the day out.

Sophie was beaming as she took her seat in the stands alongside her mother-in-law, the Earl and Lady Brabourne, and watched on as Lady Louise, 18, showed off her carriage driving skills. 

Sophie Wessex was every bit the proud mother today as she snapped pictures of Lady Louise carriage driving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Meanwhile the Queen's youngest granddaughter Lady Louise, 18, showed off her carriage driving skills at the event

Meanwhile the Queen’s youngest granddaughter Lady Louise, 18, showed off her carriage driving skills at the event 

Sophie, who recently returned from a trip to the Channel Islands to mark the Queen’s Jubilee, swept her hair into a low ponytail for the occasion.

Meanwhile the mother-of-two opted for neutral makeup for the outing earlier today.

She donned a smart purple blouse for the horse show today, where she could be seen standing from her seat and reaching for her phone while her daughter took part.

The mother-of-two appeared overjoyed to be watching her eldest child during the event, and snapped photos on her iPhone throughout.  

Sophie was beaming as she took her seat in the stands alongside her mother in law, the Earl and Lady Brabourne, and watched on as Lady Louise took part

Sophie was beaming as she took her seat in the stands alongside her mother in law, the Earl and Lady Brabourne, and watched on as Lady Louise took part 

Her Majesty also watched with pride as her granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, driving the Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage, led the Fell Pony Society centenary parade. 

Louise lives with her parents, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, and her younger brother James, Viscount Severn at Bagshot Park, in Surrey, just miles from Windsor.

It is believed the young royal, who has competed in carriage-driving competitions, inherited her interest in carriage driving from the Duke of Edinburgh, who was instrumental in helping to establish carriage driving as a sport in Britain.

And Louise is continuing to follow in his footsteps: earlier this month, she competed in the British Indoor Carriage Driving Championships.

Carriage driving was one of Prince Philip’s favourite past-times since the 1970s, and he raced carriages near Norfolk before going on to represent Britain at several world and European championships.

The mother-of-two, who was seated alongside the Queen at the event, snapped photographs of her daughter on her phone at the event

The mother-of-two, who was seated alongside the Queen at the event, snapped photographs of her daughter on her phone at the event 

The delighted Queen took home a cup today at the event, which marked her first public appearance since missing the State Opening of Parliament

The delighted Queen took home a cup today at the event, which marked her first public appearance since missing the State Opening of Parliament

The delighted Queen took home a cup today at the event, which marked her first public appearance since missing the State Opening of Parliament

The monarch took her seat in the stands at the event alongside Prince Edward, Lady Brabourne and Sophie

The monarch took her seat in the stands at the event alongside Prince Edward, Lady Brabourne and Sophie 

In May 2017, Prince Philip spoke about how he took up carriage driving when he stopped playing polo at the age of 50.

He said: ‘I was looking round to see what next, I didn’t know what there was available.

‘And I suddenly thought, well, we’ve got horses and carriages so why don’t I have a go.

‘So I borrowed four horses from the stables in London, took them to Norfolk and practised and thought – why not?

The Duke described how he convened a committee of equestrian experts to come up with a set of international rules for the fledgling sport of carriage driving.

Her Majesty was brimming with excitement as she visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show - one of her favourite events of the year - despite ongoing mobility problems forcing her to miss the State Opening of Parliament this week

Her Majesty was brimming with excitement as she visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of her favourite events of the year – despite ongoing mobility problems forcing her to miss the State Opening of Parliament this week

He was credited with shaping the sport in the UK and was still competing in his eighties, representing Britain in three European championships and six world championships in total.

At the age of 91, the prince had the dark green carriage made to his specifications out of aluminium and steel.

He was seen riding the carriage around Windsor and other royal estates in the following years.

The delighted Queen took home a cup today at the event, which marked her first public appearance since missing the State Opening of Parliament.

Sophie could be seen carefully laying a blanket across her knee as she sat alongside Prince Edward at the event today

Sophie could be seen carefully laying a blanket across her knee as she sat alongside Prince Edward at the event today  

Her Majesty was back on her feet and brimming with excitement as she visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of her favourite events of the year – despite ongoing mobility problems forcing her to miss the State Opening of Parliament this week.

The 96-year-old monarch, wearing sunglasses, pink lipstick and dressed casually in a white blouse and dark cardigan, looked in good health and spirits as she watched her horse Balmoral Leia compete.

She wound down her window and chatted animatedly to fellow festival-goers having never missed the event in the past 79 years, and the crowds looked equally thrilled to see her, clapping and cheering her as she arrived.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show was also beloved of her husband, Prince Philip, who died last April at the age of 99, so attending today will be both a poignant and a happy memory of their 73-year marriage.

The 96-year-old monarch, wearing sunglasses, pink lipstick and dressed casually in a white blouse and dark cardigan, looked in good health and spirits as she watched her horse Balmoral Leia compete.

The 96-year-old monarch, wearing sunglasses, pink lipstick and dressed casually in a white blouse and dark cardigan, looked in good health and spirits as she watched her horse Balmoral Leia compete.

After missing the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday on doctor’s orders as she struggles to walk or stand for long periods, Her Majesty chose to stay in the passenger seat of her Range Rover, where she spoke to passers-by and watched horses in the parade ring.

And after an hour or so, with the aid of a stick, she walked slowly around 30ft to her seat in the grandstand.  

It came after made a secret trip to see her own horses this week as she missed the first day of the event yesterday. 14 of her animals will be taking part over the coming days, and the monarch was visibly delighted to see them in action.

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