29 November 2018
The Earl of Wessex, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, and The Countess of Wessex, Global Ambassador, that evening attended a Gala Dinner at Hampton Court Palace. Nothing has been shared.
30 November 2018
The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Founders, Wessex Youth Trust, held a Meeting.
On the 28th November, The Countess of Wessex, Global Ambassador of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, in the afternoon held a Meeting. Her Royal Highness as London College of Fashion‘s Patron, in the evening held a Reception at Buckingham Palace. Event hosted by HRH celebrated ten years of Better Lives at LCF, encapsulating projects that use the power of fashion to tackle issues around equality, social mobility, diversity and sustainability.
At the reception The Countess spoke about her commitment to the college – which began in 2013 – and her dedication to projects such as Making for Change. HRH said: “What I love about the college is that it isn’t just about educating young people to create business opportunities, to create careers in and around the fashion industry, it also is an outward facing college and it takes its responsibilities very seriously.”
“To give female prisoners the chance to come out of prison with a genuine job opportunity is a wonderful thing to do, and I’m thrilled that the college is working with recovered female prisoners. So, that’s just one example. And, of course this is just one part of the Better Lives programme. That, alongside sustainable fashion, which is becoming more and more prevalent. But we still have a lot of work to do and the London College is taking its part very seriously in ensuring that students are aware of how to sustain fashion and keep it on the agenda.”
Sophie also joked by saying: “I can’t claim that my track record in fashion has always been as good as it is today, but you know, we learn in time.”HRH spoke with many invited guests, including plus size model Felicity (@FelicityHayward), who tweeted afterwards: “Such an honour to be at the Palace last night to meet HRH The Countess of Wessex and to talk all things #SelfLoveBringsBeauty and sizing in the fashion industry.”
Head of LCF Professor Frances Corner also spoke at the event and reflected on how far the college had come – helping fashion as a discipline to extend and expand its influence, countering traditional stereotypes of fashion as a lightweight subject and how over the past ten years, the college has redefined its agenda, placing sustainability and social responsibility at the heart of what they do. She also wrote an entry on her website with a great attention to detail on the background of the event. You will find her article at her official website, by clicking here.
For full press release by London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, click here. For Royal Family’s website coverage click here. For Daily Mail’s coverage click here.
Outfit & jewellery:
Black turtleneck.
New Jupiter flared floral-jacquard midi skirt by Temperley London. ID courtesy of Ashley Marie.
Tiffany studs paired with citrine drops from Heavenly Necklaces.
Hermes Constance charm in rose gold set with 65 diamonds.
LP Bennett black suede pumps.
On the 27 November in the morning, The Countess of Wessex as Disability Initiative Patron held a Meeting. In the evening, HRH as Patron hosted a 75th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner in aid of the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) at her private residence in Bagshot Park.
Paul Gaffney, DMWS CEO, said: “It’s an honour for DMWS to be hosted in the home of our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex. She has already demonstrated fantastic support for the charity and is a true ambassador for our cause.”
According to the press release, The DMWS are celebrating 75 years of ‘Caring for those who Serve’. The evening was an opportunity to reflect on the service DMWS have provided to over 1 million members of the Armed Forces Community whom the charity has supported since 1943.
A the event, Alan Titchmarsh, was reunited with DMWS welfare officer Nathan Cumberland, following the veterans garden makeover on the BBC’s ‘Love Your Garden’ show, which aired in July 2018. Alan is a host of this TV show. In this particular episode (s08202) HRH had a cameo, Sophie sent a message of support to the veteran and his family.
Nathan Cumberland suffered a life-changing injury in Afghanistan and had to have both of his legs amputated. He now works with Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), based at Redenham Park, and dedicates his time to support elderly veterans at a project based in Nottinghamshire.
I wanted to add few quotes from the people who attended the event. Jason Stone (@JasonStone_DMWS): “Had the privilege of attending the @TheDMWS Caring for those who Serve Fundraising Dinner last night at Bagshot Park. Meeting Alan Titchmarsh and HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO was awesome but I have to say, hearing the inspiring stories from our service users topped it off!”
Paul Gaffney (@Psgaffney19P): “A fantastic evening highlighting the work of DMWS. Many thanks to HRH Countess of Wessex for hosting the event. The dinner highlighted the fantastic work that our Welfare Officers do in supporting those who serve on behalf of the nation.” PS. Will add few more pics to my post if that will be possible.
Outfit & jewellery:
Jacket worn to several events over the last few years, not sure it was ever ID’d.
Sunshine metallic pleated skirt by Emilia Wickstead.
The Fun Hoops (earrings) by Heavenly Necklaces.
On the 26th November, The Countess of Wessex as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), in the morning, attended the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground, where she was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Powys (Mrs. Tia Jones).
First staged in 1990, the Winter Fair is now firmly established as one of the most popular attractions on the British agricultural show calendar. Leading stockmen from all over the UK compete for the top accolades in the competitions running throughout the two-day event.
Each year the event is being organized by the The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, organization that was formed in 1904, with the first show held in Aberystwyth in the same year. The Society has come a long way since those early days and the Royal Welsh Show has become an important event in the Welsh calendar.
HRH visited opening day of the event, and it was the second visit to the Royal Welsh Showground for the Countess, but her first to the prestigious Royal Welsh Winter Fair, having first visited the Royal Welsh Show with the Earl of Wessex back in 2003.
Whilst at the fair, HRH The Countess of Wessex had the opportunity to visit all areas of the event including the new start-up farmers market, the Winter Fair Taste Test competitions, the homecrafts and horticulture displays and, of course, the livestock, the event’s star attraction.
During her visit, The Countess of Wessex met young farmers making Christmas decorations and members of the agricultural academy, as well as those taking part in a Christmas Tree competition. The Countess also met people taking part in the equine show as well as those in the sheep ring. Finally, HRH presented the “baby supreme championship” in the main event ring.
After the event, William Hanks, Honorary Winter Fair Director said: “It was a pleasure to have a visit from the Countess at this year’s Winter Fair. The five hour visit was packed full and the time soon flew by as we took in the very best that this wonderful event has to offer.”
“Her Royal Highness has a keen interest in agriculture and her knowledge of the industry was apparent as she showed a genuine interest in all sections of the event and chatted freely with everyone she met. We very much hope she enjoyed her visit to the showground as much as we did.”
For press release about the Winter Fair, click here. Articles about HRH’s visit can be found here and here. Gallery of pics can be found here. The most detailed article can be found here, there is also a video from HRH’s visit.
Outfit & jewellery:
STELLA MCCARTNEY Vivienne double-breasted wool-blend coat.
Blue turtleneck.
Hippo Splat pendant by Patrick Mavros.
Patrick Mavros Sea Urchin Petite Stud Earrings in Black Diamond.
Some black boots.
Clutch most likely by Sophie Habsburg Design.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 