On September 12, 2025, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Zara Tindall attended the Cornbury House Horse Trials at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire. The Cornbury House Horse Trials was founded by David Howden and his family in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are close friends with David and his wife, Fiona Howden. During her visit, the Duchess also met artist Jemma Powell, who is showcasing her work in a special exhibition at the event.
Max Mara Dilly Notch Lapels Stretch Woven Blazer
Well ... suit jacket with wide and long skirt: No. Blouse collar jammed under the jacket lapel in a very untidy and unbecoming way: No. It looks as if she pulled out the pieces without the slightest care in the world how they would work together. They simply don't. I really don't mind if royal ladies are dressed after the latest fashion, this is not the point - but this carelessness and lack of taste is really irritating for somebody appearing in public in a representative role.
ReplyDeleteShe represents whom ? Since the owner the Howden family are close friends with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie is invited there as a private person and not as a representative of the king and queen, I presume.
Delete10:56 … no need to feel irritated. It’s just an outfit, which Sophie had chosen for herself, to hang with friends. I think in contrast to her friends, who have a boho vibe, Sophie looks gorgeous - classic and relaxed English style. Hair tied back, crisp white shirt, well fitted jacket, relaxed skirt - in neutrals - very English country side wear. Beautiful!
Delete@Anon 12:35: Who implied that she "represents the King"? She is a member of the royal family so her photographs are going to be published, whoever invited her and in what quality. So she has to take care what she is wearing because private or not, she is the Duchess of Edinburgh, senior member of the Royal family.
Delete@16:24 “ So she has to take care what she is wearing because private or not…” … actually she does take care. Some might not like her style, that’s ok, but there’s really no room for saying she doesn’t care! She just has a different style than you. I for one love her style, and see her effort, and find nothing to criticise on the days she simply chooses outfits different from my preferences.
DeleteAnonymous
Delete@ 16.24
10:56 writes "somebody appearing in public in a representative role"
so I ask it again "She represents whom ?"
@non 22:48 "she represents whom?" - The word "represent" does not imply that the DofE has been sent on an official "mission". She represents the family simply because she is a senior member of it and as soon as she moves in a public space, she will be photographed exactly because of this function of her (unlike really private persons who can oppose to being photographed). Hope it is clear now. I see very well that she aims at British countryside style, but she lacks taste to do it well, that's all. It is a pity because she is, as a person, really absolutely lovely and can look marvelous.
DeleteWhy oh why the long skirt?
ReplyDeleteBeautifull face, beautifull blazer spoilt.
… no doubt, because she likes it! Same reason you choose your clothes or I choose mine!!
DeleteI thought this was going to be a perfect outfit for the event,
ReplyDeletebut then I scrolled down to the photo showing the skirt basically touching the ground.!.
Cate.
Exactly my thoughts.
DeleteCertaines se fanent pendant que d'autres embellissent, c est le cas de Sophie
ReplyDeleteFroufrou
D’accord!
DeleteL’association de ces pièces serait parfaite à condition que la jupe soit moins large et longue !
ReplyDeleteGosh, this looks bad. This combination is worse than usual. The length of the skirt is terrible. Another hodge-podge of pieces cobbled together creating an incohesive look. She is in her Victorian era. Pity.
ReplyDelete… it’s not Victorian era, it’s valid 2025, English countryside, horsey day out smart casual. I love it and think she looks very neat and polished in a relaxed way.
DeleteAnon 14:33 If that is the case, other women there would be dressed similarly. They aren't.
DeleteZara looks fantastic. She is wearing jeans and Wellies with her sweater and barn jacket. Maybe we could get more pictures of her?
ReplyDelete100% Agreed. Yullia
DeleteThis is a nice blazer on Duchess Sophie but it would have looked even better with a shorter skirt or well tailored slacks. The extra long skirt does not do anything for the overall look. A shorter skirt with a pair of boots would have looked amazing.
ReplyDeleteSophie est belle sur la première photo. Très beau blazer (coupe, couleur, texture du tissu) et c'est chic avec la chemise blanche. J'aime aussi la ceinture et la coiffure. La tenue aurait été magnifique avec un pantalon beige ou brun (assorti au blazer), sur la jupe non, quel dommage.
ReplyDeleteJe n'avais pas reconnu Zara, sa veste est trop masculine à mon goût.
Elle a dû participer au concours ce qui explique sa tenue.
Paloma.
Nice jacket, nice, blouse, nice skirt, just not nice together like this. It seems as if the jacket is just an inch or so too long , including the sleeve length for it to be in proportion to her length. I don’t mean to be negative, it just looks odd.
ReplyDeleteUgh!
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder what goes through Sophie's mind when she walks to her closet! She seems to have lost all sense of style or even looking tidy anymore. Sorry to say, but she is on my worst dressed list.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, I really love Sophie’s style. She hasn’t lost her sense of style, she’s developed it, in a different direction from your preferences.
DeleteThis is the classic college look, appropriate for the horsey event, if only the skirt were shorter. Queen Mary always gets the Ralph Lauren look just right, I wish Sophie would too. A pity really because the belt looks perfect with the smart Max Mara blazer.
ReplyDelete🌞 Virginia
I love this look. My style choices coincide with many of Sophie’s, so I love it - where clearly many of the above have other preferences. No problem - there’s room for all views (just don’t say she got it wrong - she chooses differently from you - that’s it!). I think she’s beautifully dressed and apt for the context of the event. She clearly loves long hemlines and why not?! Very comfortable and feminine.
ReplyDeleteWell said, agree with you.
DeleteFirst and second picture, very British I thought, then the loooong skirt appeared and spoiled the look, but oh well we are not British moving within this circle, and if we look at her friends she is not in such discordance. Nevertheless i think her face looks lovely, her sartorial choices not always to my liking.
ReplyDeleteLuna
I rather chuckled. I saw the start of the post and thought 'Oh, DoE... we'll see how many people rap her for her skirt length (a routine point of commentary in this space...) and then I scrolled through and saw the later pictures and the, uh, skirt length. I think Anon15:49 summed it up best: 'Ugh!' ~J
ReplyDeleteI prefer the boho style of the ladies in the first pictures.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Duchess Sophie's style, until I saw the skirt which is too long (again).
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