The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit Channel Islands for Liberation Day

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, looked in good spirits as she and her husband Edward stood on the balcony of the Pomme d’Or Hotel to watch the Liberation Day March, in Jersey, for Liberation Day.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived in the Channel Islands, on Sunday, and today they watched the march to celebrate Guernsey and Jersey’s national day.

The march today also marks the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Channel Islands were the only United Kingdom territories to be occupied by the German Forces. 

Sophie, donned her favourite Erdem flower dress paired with an ‘Indiana’ Jacket from Altuzarra, while Edward wore a grey suit and a purple shirt as they laughed and smiled while waving to the crowds as they stood on the hotel balcony. 

Sophie and Prince Edward, wave to the crowds at the Pomme d’Or Hotel, in Jersey, to watch the Liberation Day March, Liberty Square

The pair are in giggles while watching a Liberation Day Service, which is a bank holiday day in Jersey

The royals also entered the Pomme d’Or Hotel to meet senior citizens who gave living accounts of the Occupation, as well as meeting residents waiting outside to greet the pair.

Edward and Sophie have also arrived to bring the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations to the 170,499 people living on the seven inhabited islands. 

The trip comes just a couple of weeks after the pair finished their official tour of the Caribbean.

They started their tour on Sunday by visiting Government House, where they unveiled a sundial. The structure is made of bronze and was designed by local artist Nicholas Romeril to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex at the Pomme d’Or Hotel to meet senior citizens who gave living accounts of the Occupation

Sophie, Countess of Wessex at the Pomme d’Or Hotel to meet senior citizens who gave living accounts of the Occupation

Both Sophie and Edward, outside the Pomme d’Or Hotel to meet senior citizens who lived through the Nazi occupation during World War II

The pair were then taken to the Royal Jersey Showground, and met Ajax the Shire Horse at Government House in Jersey. Prince Edward is an Honorary Liveryman of an organisation called the The Worship Company of Coopers.

The march today also marks the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Channel Islands were the only United Kingdom territories to be occupied by the German Forces. 

Due to the pandemic, Jersey and Guernsey were unable to hold celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Liberation. So this year, although it has been 77 years since the occupation ended, the celebrations go ahead which were due to take place in 2020.   

The visit comes as the Queen announced she will use her Platinum Jubilee to emphasise national unity, sending members of her family to all four corners of the realm.

The royal pair unveil a plaque at Glacis Field in Jersey, with Sophie wearing her favourite Erdem flower dress

Sophie giggles while sitting next to her husband, Edward while watching a Liberation Day Service at Liberation Square

Edward and Sophie pose to mark the unveiling of a plaque at Glacis Field in Jersey

Sophie speak with Islanders dressed in historic costume at Glacis Field 

The monarch has agreed for senior members of the Royal Family to visit the nations of the United Kingdom over the extended bank holiday weekend in June.

They will be led by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who will visit Wales. Meanwhile the Earl and Countess of Wessex will visit Northern Ireland, while Princess Anne will go to Scotland given her particularly affinity with the country.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will remain in London with the Queen.

There will, of course, be no roles for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York, both of whom have now stepped down a working royals.

On June 2 Jubilee beacons will also be lit in 2,000 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK, Channel Islands Isle of Man, and UK Overseas Territories, as well as each of the capital cities across the Commonwealth.

But each of the four main events – Trooping the Colour, the service of thanksgiving, the Party at the Palace and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant – are in London.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘Over the course of the Central Weekend, Members of the Royal Family will visit the Nations of the United Kingdom to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Members of the Royal Family will attend engagements in each nation, including public events marking the occasion.’ Further details of the visits will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Sophie beams as she arrives in Jersey with husband Prince Edward to mark the island’s Liberation day, two years after their planned big 75th year of celebrations

Sophie arrives wearing her Emilia Wickstead dress that she wore for the 2019 Royal Ascot

Sophie and Edward arrive in the Channel Islands yesterday, and meet with officials as they land on the islands to mark the Platinum Jubilee and Liberation Day

Last week Buckingham Palace confirmed further details of the Platinum Jubilee weekend from June 2-5.

And they revealed that the Queen had personally decided, after ‘careful consideration’, that only members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on her behalf will be eligible to join her on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour, the first major public event of the celebrations.

She has also given special permission for the Cambridge’s three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to attend, as well as Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, Edward and Sophie’s son and daughter.

Princess Anne’s husband, Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, will also be among the 18 attendees as he regularly accompanies his 70-year-old wife on official duties and tours.

Her decision made clear in light of fevered public debate as to whether Harry, Meghan and Andrew could join her in a show of family unity, that they would not be welcome.

But she has extended an invitation to join her in a personal capacity at other events over the extended bank holiday weekend including a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.