The jacket holds a special significance for the royal.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh is turning 60 in style. The royal—who marked her milestone birthday on Monday, January 20—released a trio of stunning portraits to commemorate the special occasion over the weekend that seemingly included a subtle sartorial nod to her grand new title.
In a series of candid photographs taken by Christina Ebenzer at Sophie's home in Bagshot Park, Surrey earlier this month, the duchess chose a particularly poignant coat in two of the images. Posing in front of a photography screen set up in the garden of her 51-acre estate, Sophie wore a white Proenza Schouler coat over a brown turtleneck and wide-leg green pants.
The jacket was a royal rewear from the 2023 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, the royal's first engagement after she was named the Duchess of Edinburgh by King Charles. Previously known as the Countess of Wessex, Sophie was given the new title, which was previously held by the late Queen Elizabeth before she was named sovereign, on her husband Prince Edward's 59th birthday.
In addition to the coat, Sophie wore a second look that was less symbolic but equally gorgeous in her birthday portraits that consisted of a black turtleneck sweater, a white pleated skirt, and silver jewelry, as she sat on a window ledge in front of a bay window of her home.
“As The Duchess looks ahead to turning 60, Her Royal Highness has a renewed sense of excitement and commitment to her work around gender equality and looks forward to further embracing and championing this issue in the years to come,” Buckingham Palace wrote in a statement alongside the images of Sophie on Instagram.
Duchess Sophie is believed to be celebrating her 60th birthday privately at home alongside her husband, Prince Edward.