A hit with the kids! The Duchess of Edinburgh served food and painted faces at a Christmas party for Ukrainian refugees this week
The Duchess of Edinburgh was a hit with children and adults alike when she volunteered at a Christmas party for Ukrainian refugees this week.
Sophie, 58, cut a casual figure in a black turtleneck as she chatted to families, served festive food and painted children's faces at The Lighthouse in Woking, Surrey.
The royal teamed her relaxed ensemble with black trousers and added a gold chain.
The event included music from the Ukrainian band Atmasfera, a visit from Sviatyij Mykolai (Sinterklaas) and a Ukrainian puppeteer.
The charity, of which the Duchess became patron earlier this year, runs a range of projects in central Woking and Barnsbury to support, encourage and empower those in need.
The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared cheerful on Tuesday as she volunteered at a Christmas party for Ukrainian refugees
The charity, which also runs the Woking Foodbank and the Jigsaw babybank, will support around 4,000 local people who will find Christmas difficult this year.
The Christmas Kindness appeal includes food parcels, toy vouchers for children, winter warming items, clothing, toiletries, a meal on Christmas Day and more.
It's not Sophie's first time visiting the charity as she baked mince pies and wrapped Christmas care packages for the Woking charity in 2021.
The royal family intervened during the visit, serving breakfast to the charity's beneficiaries and helping pack essential items for children in need over the festive period.
She was seen baking festive treats, warming up croissants and serving spiced apple juice in the Lighthouse kitchen before chatting to locals during the visit.
She later helped pack care packages for children, all referred to us by local social workers and service providers, including shower gel and toys.
The Lighthouse is a charity that aims to tackle widespread poverty and runs a variety of projects for the local community, including offering free haircuts for men and advice for those in debt.
Duchess Sophie, 58, looked casual in a black turtleneck as she painted children's faces at The Lighthouse in Woking, Surrey
The royal also showed off her personal side as she chatted with families during her visit
Sophie beamed as she chatted to a Ukrainian woman at the Christmas party in Surrey
The royal teamed her relaxed ensemble with black pants and added a gold chain
Sophie got involved in a festive face painting event, drawing reindeer antlers on a delighted young girl
Sophie, patron of The Lighthouse, served delicious festive food for the families
The royal family also got involved in some arts and crafts activities with Ukrainian children living locally
Last year the royal family looked the picture of joy as they cuddled adorable babies at a local parenting group at the Jigsaw Hub at The Lighthouse.
Sophie beamed with joy as she met local new mums and their babies as she opened the new Jigsaw Hub, just a few miles from her home in Bagshot Park.
The Lighthouse's new hub supports the community by offering mothers a safe place to meet.
It hosts a range of projects aimed at supporting, encouraging and empowering marginalized and vulnerable members of society by offering training and providing care packages and food.