The Duchess of Edinburgh carriage driving in Windsor© REX

Duchess of Edinburgh pictured carriage driving in Windsor days after sad anniversary

The Duchess of Edinburgh shared the hobby with her late father-in-law, Prince Philip

Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
April 17, 2023

The Duchess of Edinburgh is continuing the late Prince Philip's legacy and was pictured carriage driving in Windsor just days after the second anniversary of his passing.

Sophie, 58, donned outwear, blue jeans, and brown boots as she practised one of her late father-in-law's favourite hobbies over the weekend.

The Duchess had her blonde locks swept into a ponytail, which was tucked into a black baseball cap.

The late Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99 at Windsor Castle on 9 April 2021.

He played polo until 1971, when he discovered carriage driving, and was credited with bringing the sport to the UK. The Duke represented Britain in three European championships and six world championships.

MORE: Sarah Ferguson shares emotional message with fans after coronation snub

© REX

Sophie has passed her passion for the sport down to her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor

Sophie and Prince Edward's daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, now 19, has followed in her grandfather's footsteps to take up the sport.

Speaking about her own love for carriage driving to BBC Radio 5 in 2021, Sophie said of her late father-in-law: "[The Duke] was so pleased when she took the sport up because I took it up - I was at the beginning of my carriage driving career and I fell pregnant with Louise so I had to hang up the reins.

"So I was really delighted when she decided that she wanted to have a go and my father-in-law was always so good at encouraging.

"He was really encouraging of Louise and when she not only said can I have a go, but then showed a flair for it, he was just brilliant with her."

© Getty

The late Duke of Edinburgh continued carriage driving into the latter years of his life

Lady Louise is an accomplished carriage driver, having achieved third place in the Private Driving Singles carriage drive at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2019.

The teenager drove one of her late grandfather's carriages in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last year. Take a look back at that emotional moment in the clip below...

WATCH: Lady Louise Windsor marks poignant moment driving Prince Philip's carriage

This year's Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place from 11 to 14 May, just days after King Charles's coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.

The King gave Edward and Sophie their new royal titles - Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh - on Edward's 59th birthday last month. 

Buckingham Palace previously announced Edward would eventually one day succeed his father as the Duke of Edinburgh – but not until after the death of both Philip and the Queen.

LISTEN: Want to hear more about the royal family? Check out the best of 'A Right Royal Podcast' 

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