Duchess of Edinburgh praised for breaking royal protocol as Palace shares update

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, didn't let the usual strict royal protocol stop her from showing her emotions during an emotional engagement. 

The 60-year-old wife of Prince Edward was recognised for her work for The Lighthouse charity, which address poverty of resources, relationships, and spirit in communities across Surrey and Hampshire. 

For context, she serves as charity's royal patron.

Erik Jespersen, the charity's co-founder was amazed by Sophie's 'honesty and willingness to engage' when meeting people receiving care from the organisation.

'We had one incident where she was sitting around the table to a group of people, and they started asking her about the royal family at Christmas, and I was like,'oh no, there's probably some protocol around this kind of thing,' the charity boss remembered fearing. 

But he was astonished to see Sophie being 'humorous and honest' noting that she is the one who sits down for deep conversations,' an amazed Jespersen recalled.

'The homeless clients loved her interest in them, he remembered of another moment while speaking with Hello! Magazine.

Meanwhile, Sophie also gave her best in putting on a Christmas dinner for over 200 Ukrainian refugees for The Lighthouse in 2023. 

Jespersen recalled the party, saying: 'There's been tears and really deep emotion being shared.' 

The warm praise for Sophie's work comes as Buckingham Palace confirmed her presence at the Royal Family's commemoration of VJ Day next week.

King Charles III is expected to deliver a recorded message, while he and Queen Camilla will attend a Service of Remembrance in Staffordshire.

However, Prince William and Princess Kate's presence is not confirmed yet.