The Duchess of Edinburgh is undertaking a four-day official visit to Alberta from 4 to 7 September 2025 in her role as Patron of Spruce Meadows, the renowned show jumping venue. On September 6, she attended a special dinner at the Riding Hall Circle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spruce Meadows, the Calgary-based sports and entertainment complex. On this occasion, she wore a floral midi dress by Erdem.
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited the Diamond Willow Vaulting Club at Spruce Meadows and met with its members. She also met with some of the judges for the World Blacksmith Championships. Spruce Meadows is a multi-purpose sports facility near Calgary, Alberta, built by the Southern family and opened in 1975.
I really like the Erdem dress on the Duchess but the shoes are a mismatch.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the shoes are a distraction, but might look interesting with a “plainer ensemble”, possibly with black trousers? A black shawl might have been a better choice, as well, but Sophie looks happy and the Erdem dress is very becoming.
DeleteI agree. The Erdem dress had a nice print and color palette, and the length is good. I don't see how these shoes coordinate with the dress or add to her overall look.
DeleteI don’t understand these shoes either.
DeleteWell said, agree.
DeleteI agree with Lili... shoes is a big no
ReplyDeleteA beautiful look from the Duchess; vibrant and well tailored! I actually like the fun touch of the shoes. MR
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lili: great dress but wearing these shoes was not a good idea! Bright pink pumps would have elevated this outfit!
ReplyDeleteI guess she matched her silver shoe embellishments to the silver of her necklace. Odd combination for my taste because your eye is drawn to the shoes. The plain brown shoes with the plain dark blue dress, again an odd combination.
ReplyDeleteInteresting being patron of an event that is for the wealthy, despite some charitable commitments from the club, they can well afford without royal patronage.
This dress is not my cup of tea because of the big floral print--but that's me; however, Sophie looks fabulous in this dress. I also love her shoes--but not paired with this dress.
ReplyDeleteJanet
I do not think the bodice of the Erdem dress is flattering, and the shoes Sophie is wearing with it do not look well-matched with the dress. The second outfit shown is better on her to me. I do wonder if she had to hurriedly modify her planned wardrobe for this trip in light of the period of royal mourning.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
ReplyDeleteQuand je regarde l'imprimé fleuri du mannequin, je vois une différence avec celui porté par Sophie ; avec toutes les fleurs rouges sur fond noir, ce serait parfait - D'autre part, ses escarpins élégants seraient mieux dans une teinte unie noire !
Duchess Sophie had always strange idea's about styling.
ReplyDeletePersonally I do not like the dress. I never liked big red or pink flowers on a black ground. It remembers me the women of the gypsies one encountered a long time ago in our town.
It looks like the mourning period was over quickly. I wouldn't wear a dress like this if I was expected to wear a kind of mourning clothes.
I believe they travel with one black dress so they can return home in black. If there is a death during their travels. The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, had not traveled with a black dress when her father died. After arriving home, a black dress was brought to her to change into so she could leave the plane in mourning attire. That began the enforcement of travelling with a black outfit. There is no reason to expect Sophie or any other royal to travel with a complete mourning wardrobe. She still had appearances to make. The Duchess of Kent was not a senior royal, so there wasn't an immediate return to England. I wouldn't consider this actual mourning attire. She would be in solid black.
Delete@ Anon. 23:24
Delete1. There is a big difference when one of your parents died than a distant relative.
2. It is better not to guess in advance what kind of mourning clothes the family will wear, like some commenters did.
3. The day before she wore navy/black dresses with white flowers and a white jacket, not exactly mourning clothes either.
I would be better if some commenters stop to guess concerning everything about royals and wait until they see the photo's or read the news.
As I already react on this outfit, I won't write about that subject now.
Lovely dress and a good length. Pity about the shoes —-they would have been fine without the bow—-but at least they’re not wedges and they’re no worse than those worn by the model.
ReplyDeleteLovely dress. Perfect length. Really showcases Sophie’s enviable figure. But the shoes don’t match at all. A plain pair of black heeled pumps would have been perfect.
ReplyDeleteLowri.
The only shoes worse looking than those on the DofE are those on the Erdem model. DIQ
ReplyDeleteVery lovely dress, the shoes are fine if they would be without the silver decor.
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