Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attends her late mother-in-law’s favourite event, the Royal Windsor Horse Show, after returning from Ukraine

The Duchess of Edinburgh wore an elegant ensemble on Wednesday as she attended the first day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Sophie, 59, was effortlessly elegant in a navy blue dress – adorned with gold buttons – and a checked blazer as she enjoyed the event that her late mother-in-law, the Queen, was known to love.

The royal accessorized with a £695 leather shoulder bag, and paired the look with blue suede boots.

She wore her blonde locks with a relaxed smile and opted for dewy, natural makeup.

Photos from the day also showed the mother-of-two looking focused as she watched today’s event.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show, which starts today, is one of the most highly anticipated events on the royal calendar, not only because of the quality of the entertainment, but also because of its close relationship with King Charles’ mother.

It was 1943 when a 23-year-old Princess Elizabeth attended the very first show, staged at Windsor Home Park to raise money for the war effort, accompanied by her parents and her sister Margaret.

She took first place in the Pony and Dogcart classes – and has returned for every show since.

Royal observers believe it was one of the happiest public appearances for the Queen, who was often seen laughing and smiling, as these photos show.

It quickly became a family affair. Her daughter Princess Anne, another accomplished rider, competed in show jumping events and Prince Philip competed in driving until his retirement in 2003.

Sophie’s husband Prince Edward, their daughter Lady Louise Windsor and even a young Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie also took part.

The queen, meanwhile, entered her own home-bred horses in the competitions.

Last year was the first show that Queen Elizabeth, who died in September 2022, missed, although it was reported that in 1991 a security guard tried to refuse her entry because she did not have a ‘sticker’.

Sophie, 59, was effortlessly elegant in a navy blue dress – adorned with gold buttons – and a checked blazer as she enjoyed the event that her late mother-in-law, the Queen, was known to love

Photos from the day also showed the mother-of-two looking focused as she watched today’s event

She wore her blonde locks with a relaxed smile and opted for dewy, natural makeup today

Sophie seemed in good spirits as she enjoyed today’s events on day one of the Royal Windsor Horse show

The royal accessorized with a £695 leather shoulder bag, and paired the look with blue suede boots

Sophie’s chic blazer was the perfect weather for Wednesday’s warm but cloudy spring day

The royal was effortlessly elegant for the equestrian event as she donned a sophisticated ensemble

The Duchess of Edinburgh contrasted her navy blue dress with a tan blazer and a tanned leather handbag

The Queen is said to have replied: ‘I think if you check, I can come in!’

She even appeared on the show in 2022, after missing that year’s state opening of Parliament due to illness.

That very first day in 1943 was not a complete success for the royal family, as King George VI had a thief steal a piece of chicken from his lunch plate.

Earlier this week, the Duchess of Edinburgh became the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.

Sophie met with President Zelensky and his wife – and delivered a personal message from King Charles – as she shared her loneliness with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture during her emotional one-day trip.

The mother-of-two traveled in her role as a campaigner for the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

It is understood she was ‘keen to show her solidarity with the men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion’.

She arrived in the country on the same day that at least four people were killed in a barrage of Russian rocket attacks in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, almost 300 miles (480 kilometers) away.

In Kiev, the Duchess listened as survivors of sexual violence, both men and women, courageously shared their stories, and spoke with women displaced people – internally displaced people – and volunteers who are helping their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.