Duchess Sophie recreates Beatles’ Abbey Road photo

Duchess Sophie takes, she and Prince Edward, the new status of “chosen ones” in stride. Yesterday, the Duchess was invited to take part in a public engagement usually reserved for Catherine, Princess of Wales – and she relished the moment.

Sophie recreated the Beatles’ iconic 1969 Abbey Road album cover photo. Like John Legend, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the royal strutted across the famous crosswalk with a big, beaming smile on her face. Adding to her glow, she embraced spring in a coral pink midi dress featuring long sleeves with whimsical cuffs, a cinched waist and a flowy pleated skirt by Beulah London.

Sophie paired the piece with classic nude pointed-toe stilettos, a small brown crocodile-embossed clutch, a delicate gold bracelet and gold string earrings. She completed the look by pulling her hair into a voluminous low ponytail and wearing pretty dewy makeup.

The royal attracted a number of spectators, as a crowd of passersby stopped and applauded. The photo was taken as the Duchess attended the Orbis Visionaries reception at Abbey Road Studios. Sophie is a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, a role close to her heart since her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, was born with esotropia. This rare eye disease causes one eye to turn inward and requires corrective surgery, which Louise successfully underwent years ago.

Earlier today, Prince Edward represented King Charles in London for Anzac Day. Edward attended the Dawn Service at Hyde Park Corner at the New Zealand Memorial, a tribute which honors fallen members of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces.

Edward and Sophie are reportedly considered the new “chosen ones” of the British royal family, as they replaced Charles and Middleton, who are each on a break from public service while they undergo cancer treatment. Edward and Sophie led their first major royal event on April 8, replacing Charles in the parade celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.

The royal couple may unofficially be the new “chosen ones,” but it looks like they’ll have to wait a little longer to receive their flowers. Sophie and Edward’s engagement comes after they reportedly expressed disappointment at not being given new royal titles.

Earlier this week, King Charles named Middleton a Royal Companion of the Order of Companions of Honour, marking a major royal first. William, Prince of Wales, was awarded the title of Grand Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath (previously held by Charles in 2022) and Queen Camilla was awarded the title of Grand Master and First or Principal Lady Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Neither Edward nor Sophie were on Charles’s list of new honors.