Buckingham Palace shares update as Queen Camilla absent from major royal outing
Duchess Sophie accompanied King Charles at a key public engagement on Saturday, further highlighting her growing role within the royal family.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King and the Duchess of Edinburgh attended the opening of the 118th Royal Windsor Flower Show at Windsor Great Park.
“The King, as Patron, and The Duchess of Edinburgh were at the Royal Windsor Flower Show this morning!” the Palace statement read.
The event’s theme, “Patterns in Nature,” was inspired by King Charles’s book Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World.
The Duchess officially opened the show alongside gardener Alan Titchmarsh, Honorary President of The Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society.
Organised by The King’s Foundation, the one-day event also honoured the legacy of past monarchs, with the Flower Show’s patronage dating back to Queen Victoria in 1892.
Sophie was warmly received by royal fans after offering a graceful curtsy to the King during the event — a moment that quickly drew praise online. Notably, Queen Camilla did not accompany Charles this year, despite attending the show with him previously.
Sophie’s presence alongside the King further signals her vital role in supporting his reign. Royal experts have described the Duchess as the monarch’s “secret weapon,” admired for her loyalty and dedication to the Crown.
The appearance followed Sophie’s recent outing with Prince William at the Royal Cornwall Show, further underscoring her increased visibility within the royal family.
