Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has made her first outing after a lengthy summer break – and she’s kicked off back-to-work life with a very special engagement.
The 55-year-old royal has spent the last few weeks enjoying some downtime with her family at the Balmoral Estate alongside the Queen.
But as September rolled around, so too did the end of her working reprieve – and fittingly, her first gig back on the job was one of her most meaningful yet.
The Countess visited the Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) as part of her duties as the organisation’s patron.
The visit coincided with the TVAA’s 21st anniversary and also marked national Air Ambulance Week, which runs from September 7th to the 13th.
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But most interestingly, the patronage means more to Sophie than you’d guess – it was the very same service that flew her to help when she suffered a terrifying pregnancy emergency back in 2001.
Sophie’s visit to the air ambulance service was all the more poignant given her personal involvement with them after suffering an ectopic pregnancy back in 2001.
(Getty)Sophie suffered a ectopic pregnancy, which required her urgent medical attention as she was flown to hospital by helicopter crews.
The unprecedented event has likely stayed with the royal, who went on to have two children, Lady Louise (now 16) and Viscount James Severn (now 12).
Of course, this made her visit back to the air ambulance service all the more special this week.
The Queen of low-key chic Sophie was of course at it again, wearing another understated look that only complimented her relaxed, post-holiday glow.
She wore a black blazer over a printed blouse, along with a pair of dark navy jeans and a cute woven rucksack-shaped mini bag.
But it was her shoes that really set the look off – Sophie added a pair of chunky heeled clogs, just for something a little different.
Sophie went for an understated, yet chic look for the day’s events.
(Getty)Never missing a beat, Sophie had some witty one-liners to share with the crew and staff she met on the ground.
At one point, she told them: “I’ve been in here so often I could fly it myself,” gesturing at the cockpit of a helicopter.
She quickly added: “Now watch me fall out.”
The Countess never misses a beat.
(Getty)More members of the royal family will likely join Sophie in commencing their return to work over the coming weeks, with Duchess Catherine and Prince William also expected to make some public appearances.
