Duchess Sophie leaves UK after King Charles grants special new position

Duchess Sophie, who is considered as a prominent player in King Charles’s monarchy, is taking on another crucial mission after her husband Prince Edward played his role.

The Duchess of Edinburgh took off for Canada on Thursday, September 4, for a four-day visit in a new role as Royal Patron of Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament.

Buckingham Palace announced the Sophie’s new position as she was appointed Royal Patron of Spruce Meadows in April 2025. The patronage recognises not only the show jumping venue’s dedication to sporting excellence and development, but also the widespread community and charitable initiatives.

Sophie is anticipated to arrive in Alberta attend the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Spruce Meadows. She will also be touring the grounds, meeting the athletes, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders apart from the main event.

The visit has delighted the team and the CEO, Linda Southern-Heathcott, shared that Sophie’s presence is a “wonderful way” to mark the major milestone.

The 60-year-old royal will also be giving a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who supported these local charities and had visited the location in 1990 to inaugurate an event in her name.

Meanwhile, this will also mark Sophie’s return to Canada after two years and just two months after her husband had visited the country for an assigned mission of his own.

As Colonel-in-Chief of The Prince Edward Island Regiment, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited Prince Edward Island to attend celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Regiment, including a Freedom of the City parade. Edward’s mission lasted for nearly a week in which he also visited Toronto and Ottawa.

He concluded his visit with Canada Day celebrations, where he met Prime Minister Mark Carney.