Duchess Sophie Just Nailed a Major Trend—But That Skirt Deserves Its Own Moment

When it comes to royal fashion, a few names instantly come to mind. Kate Middleton is, of course, the go-to style icon and the men of the royal family always look sharp in their tailored suits. But let’s not forget about Duchess Sophie, the quietly stylish royal who consistently delivers elegant, effortless looks. Her latest appearance? No exception.

The Duchess of Edinburgh recently visited Northamptonshire to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton and the town’s rebuilding. During her visit, she met local schoolchildren who created artwork inspired by the fire, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Blackthorn Good Neighbours Nursery (run by the charity Growing Together Northampton) and stopped by the Northampton Bike Park—a community-driven facility that promotes fitness and inclusivity through mountain biking.

And she did all of that in seriously chic style—effortlessly pulling off one of the season’s biggest trends: monochrome. Duchess Sophie wore a polished, neutral-toned outfit anchored by a show-stopping pleated skirt. She paired a crisp white cropped jacket from Prada—complete with a pointed collar and gold buttons—with a thick white tee and a beautifully patterned midi skirt. To finish the look, she slipped on the 'Rosalia' ballet pumps in blush pink by Jimmy Choo.

Now, let’s talk about that skirt. Designed by Gabriela Hearst, the 100 percent wool piece features a multi-pleat design that flares with movement and adds structure with a self-belted waist and buckle. Translation: it's elegant, flattering and just plain gorgeous.