Duchess Sophie’s Vibrant Rainbow Outfit Contrasts Her Modern Style

The Duchess of Edinburgh epitomizes poise and understated elegance in every public engagement. However, it certainly wasn’t an understated look that the then-Countess of Wessex was going for in 2001 when she rocked a rainbow ensemble on day three of Royal Ascot.

Sophie, now 59, was spotted alongside her husband wearing a tweed fitted jacket and matching pencil skirt in horizontal panels of sky blue, lime green, coral, and hot pink. The two-piece co-ord, which had frayed detailing and a sharp collar, was styled with a pair of taupe heels, as well as a large cream hat. The mother-of-two also carried an off-white box bag and wore a beaded necklace.

Royal followers have become accustomed to Sophie’s bouncy blow-drys, but 2001 was the year of the crop, which fell just below her ears. It’s the same hairstyle the Duchess modeled two years prior when she wed Prince Edward at St George’s Chapel.

The King’s sister-in-law’s rainbow look was a real standout of the year, as she wore more muted looks on most of her engagements across the year. In July 2001, she wore a far more reserved look at an Anti-cancer Association reception on the grounds of Government House on the Isle of Man. The royal opted for a neutral lace dress with nude heels and minimal jewelry.

She incorporated color, but in a quieter fashion, into her look from April 2001 when she visited the Landmark Mall in Qatar. Sophie wore a lilac fitted dress with three-quarter-length sleeves and a V-shaped neckline and re-used her heels and box bag from Ascot.

The Duchess has continued to attend Royal Ascot. The highlight of Sophie’s wardrobe this year was a full-length sheer white dress with floral appliques over the entire garment from Suzannah London. The royal styled the bridal white piece, which incidentally she wore to the event which fell on her wedding anniversary, with a large Jane Taylor hat and her ‘Charlotte’ pumps from Emmy London.

Meanwhile, in 2023 Sophie wore a beautiful floral dress, once again from Suzannah London, with a cinched waistline and floaty skirt. The figure-flattering number was teamed with an unusual blue hat covered in pansies and Prada heels.

It was the Princess of Wales who carried the baton for bright Ascot dressing last year as she arrived in an unmissable red dress from Alexander McQueen with a matching Philip Treacy hat and unexpected statement earrings from Sezane, which stole the show.