Sophie Wessex debuts glittering £15k Chopard gift from husband Prince Edward after celebrating 60th with Princess Kate
There are certain benefits to being a member of the royal family, especially when it comes to lavish presents.
This month, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, celebrated her 60th birthday. She recently looked stunning with a present of 15,000 Chopard jewelry, which was reportedly given to her by Prince Edward.
The gorgeous diamond set, which came with stud earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace, might have been a Christmas gift from her 25-year husband.
Sophie made her jewelry debut on Christmas Day while attending church with the royal family. The pieces are from the Happy Diamonds collection.
They seem to have been favorably received by Sophie if they were from Edward.
When the diligent duchess visited Sandhurst, the Royal Military Academy that educated Princes William and Harry, last Thursday, she once again flaunted the set.
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In her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief, Sophie looked stunning in a grey floor-length Erden Lindsay gown for the Royal Corps of Army Music Dinner.
With a matching belt, the dress, which had long, sheer sleeves and a high neckline, was tightened at the waist.
Sophie could have received style cues from Princess Kate, as she has worn the glittery dress on several occasions, notably during her tour to Canada in 2023.
When the late Queen graced the UK-India Year of Culture kickoff event in 2017, the Princess of Wales wore a similar Erdem style in a midi length.
Sophie’s husband, Prince Edward, threw a party to commemorate her birthday.
Bagshot Park, the opulent Berkshire home that Edward and Sophie moved into soon after their 1999 wedding, served as the venue for the dinner and dance.
However, Edward and Sophie have hardly ever used the 120-room Bagshot for formal entertaining, despite its magnificence.
All members of the Royal family were invited to Sophie’s black-tie party, which they hosted at their house.
Since the Edinburghs don’t live a lavish lifestyle, the party’s staff was borrowed from Windsor Castle, which is close.
Their only regular staff members are a housemaid/cleaner and a butler, whose official title is Household Manager.
According to a person close to the family, neither Sophie nor Edward are what you might consider major party animals.
Naturally, the Edinburghs’ daughter Lady Louise, 21, who is studying English at St Andrew’s University, and son James, Viscount Severn, 16, who is preparing for his A-levels at the all-boys boarding school Radley, were invited to join in the festivities.
Sophie’s bond with Kate
The news that the Princess of Wales had cancer, which was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery, and the shocking announcement that King Charles was also receiving cancer treatment came at a time when the Royal Family was rocked by two devastating events. Sophie has been a rock of support during this time.
William was very appreciative that Sophie contacted him right away to ask how she might help after learning of Kate’s health.
Sophie took over some of Kate’s engagements once she retired from public life.
According to a senior royal insider, Sophie embodies that kind of pragmatism and a sincere desire to encourage and assist someone who has been knocked off balance.
In addition to the obvious practical benefits, William and Kate benefited greatly from knowing that Sophie could always be counted on to support her in times of need.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh’s ‘humble’ start in life
Unlike Prince Edward, Sophie had a modest background.
She was working in public relations at CapitalRadio when they first met in 1987. She is the daughter of a secretary and a tire dealer.
After a charity event, Edward and her buddy, whom she was dating at the time, reunited six years later.
After they were married, Sophie kept working for a few years before joining the royal family full-time in 2002.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond remarked, “I remember our first meeting many years ago when she was just starting to gain notoriety as Edward’s girlfriend.”
Sophie was seated at an adjacent table at The Ritz, where I was having lunch with one of the Queen Mother’s ladies in waiting. She was the epitome of charm, so I took advantage of the opportunity to introduce myself, which probably annoyed her a lot. We spoke for a few minutes.
Furthermore, I don’t believe she has changed all that much since then.
“Yes, she and Edward have a mansion, titles, and a great deal of privilege, but Sophie has maintained her sense of perspective because she has lived outside the walls of the cloistered palace.
For instance, she has informed her kids that they would need to make a living whether they have titles or not, and they have decided not to use their HRH status up to this point.
“When her daughter accepted a summer position at a garden center for less than $7 per hour, Sophie was pleased.
Additionally, Sophie volunteered with the Royal Voluntary Service throughout the pandemic, helping people fight feelings of loneliness by speaking with them over the phone. She continued to speak with some of these individuals after the pandemic ended.
Since her daughter Louise was born with a squint, she also frequently travels covertly to countries like Malawi, Botswana, or Ethiopia to see initiatives aimed at increasing eye health and preventing blindness.
One of the new monarchy’s advantages is Sophie, who is sophisticated, interesting, and sympathetic. I believe that she has truly won people over.
Aunt Sophie also provided support to the Wales children, setting up playdates and picnics at Bagshot for George, Louis, and Charlotte when Kate needed time to recuperate from her crippling chemotherapy treatments.
Even though Sophie and Kate are eighteen years apart in age, their already friendly bond has grown stronger over the past year.
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When Kate appeared to be about to cry at the conclusion of the service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, it was clear that she supported the princess.
Sophie just put her hand on Kate’s shoulder as they walked off a balcony.