The Countess of Wessex bottle feeds a calf on a visit to a dairy farm
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The Countess of Wessex swapped out her fancy formal dress for a more rustic look this week, while visiting and helping out on a dairy farm in Gloucestershire.
Sophie, 58, even got caught feeding a young calf milk during her visit to Smerrill Dairy, Cirencester.
Although her attire was more pastoral than usual, the royals looked beaming as they met with farmers to discuss the difficulties facing the dairy sector.
As a patron of The Addington Fund, a charity that helps struggling farmers, Her Royal Highness spoke to some of her beneficiaries who own farms across the county.
The Countess of Wessex looked typically beaming when she visited a dairy farm in Gloucestershire on Tuesday, even if her outfit was more rustic than usual.
Sophie, 58, even got stuck feeding a young calf milk during her visit to Smerrill Dairy.
For more than 20 years, the charity has supported farmers and their families in times of crisis.
The Countess clearly took a great interest when she spoke to the farmers and representatives of the charity.
His farm-appropriate outfit included a Barbour-style forest green jacket and, of course, a pair of sturdy wellington boots.
She kept herself warm in a zip-up navy thermal cape under which she wore a matching dark blue turtleneck.
Stylish dark green pants completed the outfit, which was perfect for touring a working farm.
Sophie’s blonde locks were pushed back from her face as she got stuck, feeding a large carton of milk to an adorable calf.
They also showed him the farm machinery, the tractors and around the barns where the cows were fed.
Smerill Farm is located on the Bathurst Estate, and Sophie was warmly welcomed by the Earl and Countess of Bathurst.
The royals met with Earl and Countess Bathurst (2nd and 3rd from left), as well as farmers.
The Countess clearly took a great interest when she spoke to the farmers and representatives of the Addington Fund.
The Countess was shown the farm machinery, the tractors and around the stables where the cows were fed.
Students from the Royal Agricultural University also attended and were said to have enjoyed the event.
Taking to Twitter, Countess Bathurst wrote: “Today we had a very special visitor in Gloucestershire.
‘Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex traveled to our dairy and met with students from @RoyalAgUni @AddingtonFund, of which I am lucky to be a Vice Patron, and other county agricultural leaders.
‘A beautiful and happy day.’
The Countess of Wessex listened intently as she was shown the dairy’s milking system.
The countess showed great interest as she toured the dairy farm. She wore sturdy wellies for the occasion.
Her trip to the farm wasn’t the only official visit Sophie made on Tuesday, as the royals made the most of their time in Cirencester.
He then visited Cirencester Housing for Young People, a local charity that provides subsidized accommodation for vulnerable young people, as well as the Cirencester Signpost, a local group that brings people together to improve well-being.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Sophie’s husband, Prince Edward, attended a meeting of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award in his capacity as chairman of its board and then a Radio Times anniversary party.
Edward, Earl of Wessex, 58, is the late Queen’s youngest son and the couple share two children, Lady Louise Windsor, 19, and James, Viscount Severn, 15.
Lady Louise is currently studying at the University of St Andrew in Scotland, which means that her mother probably celebrated her birthday at the end of January without her beloved daughter.