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Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 56, is said to be Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite daughter-in-law and has shone as she stepped out at Royal Ascot this year. While the five-day racing event is said to be the Queen’s favourite engagement she is yet to attend this year and even missed out on Ladies Day on Thursday.
In the Queen’s absence, Sophie and Princess Anne have held the fort and done a stellar job of representing the Firm in public.
The Countess lives down the road from the racecourse at Bagshot Park in Surrey and has stunned in an array of striking outfits since Tuesday.
Ladies Day is traditionally Royal Ascot’s stand-out event with visitors donning spectacular outfits for the special day.
On Thursday, Sophie shone in a teal collared dress and cream fascinator adorned with rose and feather details.
READ MORE: Princess Anne ‘spitting image of Queen’ at Royal Ascot 2021
The couple are said to be favourites of the Queen who values their enduring marriage when all of her other children have divorced.
Sophie is said to be extremely close to the Queen and is understood to have visited her often since Prince Philip’s death in April.
In an emotional interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the Countess touched on the giant-sized hole the Duke of Edinburgh’s death had left in the Royal Family.
The Countess said: “It’s only when you would do the normal things that you would have done with them, and you suddenly realise that they are not there, that you really start to have an ‘oh my goodness’ moment.”
Holding back tears, she added: “Just talking to you now, it’s a bit of an ‘oh my goodness’ moment.”
Asked about her and Edward’s promotion up the Firm, Sophie said: “There is increased interest in us as a family but, if it raises more awareness of the issues I care about, then that can only be a good thing.”
While the Queen has missed out on the first three days of Ascot she is still expected to attend this weekend.
The Queen is one of Britain’s biggest racehorse owners and breeders and is well-known for her intense interest and extensive knowledge on the sport.
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