The Duchess of Edinburgh sweetly petted a guide dog, made paper roses, and tried Braille Lego during a heartfelt visit to an eye impairment charity in Jersey today.
On Tuesday, Sophie, 61, made history as she became the first royal to travel to Les Écréhous as part of a two-day trip to highlight the island’s commitment to sustainable food production.
This was followed by a visit to Jersey’s only sight impairment charity, EYECAN, where the duchess was greeted lovingly by a guide dog.
Prince Edward‘s wife was typically elegant in a pink, floral-patterned dress that she accessorised with gold earrings, a delicate necklace, and a pair of black sunglasses.
The Duchess finished her summery look with a pair of golden sandals as she kept her makeup looking fresh and dewy on a hot day in Jersey, with temperatures reaching up to 31C.
After greeting charity officials, Sophie tested a pair of glasses that replicate cataracts as she was photographed using a cane during the moving visit.
The duchess, who recently attended Royal Ascot, also tried on a pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with AI technology that allows users to capture images, listen to music, and take calls.
Sophie, who is an avid sight loss campaigner, also met five-year-old Neveah Thorpe and 18-month-old Novah Thorpe before being shown a Braille Lego set at the EYECAN centre.
The Duchess of Edinburgh using a cane while wearing glasses that replicate cataracts during a visit to EYECAN, a Jersey charity
Sophie was greeted by a guide dog during today’s visit
During her time at the charity, Sophie also joined a crafts session and fashioned roses out of sheets of pink paper before unveiling a plaque to commemorate her visit on Wednesday.
The Duchess has previously spoken about how she was moved by her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor’s vision problems to campaign on behalf of blind and visually impaired people around the world.
Prince Edward’s daughter Louise was born prematurely in 2003, causing a condition called strabismus, which left her with what the countess described as a ‘profound’ squint.
She has since had the problem corrected because cosmetically it was awkward for her, Sophie said, and she can now see properly.
She told the Sunday Express in 2015: ‘Premature babies can often have squints because the eyes are the last thing in the baby package to really be finalised.’
‘Her squint was quite profound when she was tiny, and it takes time to correct it. You’ve got to make sure one eye doesn’t become more dominant than the other but she’s fine now – her eyesight is perfect.’
Sophie’s visit to Jersey comes after the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh marked their 27th wedding anniversary during Royal Ascot after the royal couple tied the knot on June 19, 1999.
When she joined the Royal Family to celebrate Ladies Day at the prestigious British racing festival in Berkshire, Sophie paid tribute to her husband, Prince Edward, by wearing the same pearl necklace she was married in.
The Duchess also tried on a pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with AI technology that allows users to capture images, listen to music, and take calls
Sophie met 18-month-old Novah Thorpe while she met families supported by the sight impairment charity
Sophie, who is an avid sight loss campaigner, also met five-year-old Neveah Thorpe before being shown a Braille Lego set
The Duchess making paper roses during today’s visit to EYECAN
Prince Edward’s wife was typically elegant in a pink, floral-patterned dress that she accessorised with gold earrings, a delicate necklace
Sophie later unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit on Wednesday
Sophie also joined senior royals, led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, at Windsor Castle for the annual service of the Most Noble Order of the Garter at St George’s Chapel earlier this month.
The King and Queen led the procession down from the castle after a private lunch to the chapel, the historic place of worship and spiritual home of the ancient order of chivalry and the most senior knighthood in the United Kingdom, on June 15.
They were accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
The former Duke of York – now plain Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – had been a member since 2006 and stubbornly insisted on attending the private lunch even after being stripped of his public duties over the Epstein scandal.
However, last year, he was finally struck off the roll and his banner was removed from the chapel after the King moved to strip his brother of all his remaining titles, including that of prince. His appointment was annulled on October 30, 2025.
It is believed that this year is the first year that Andrew has not attended in any capacity at all – having insisted on attending the lunch at last year’s event.
A royal source said that since Andrew is no longer a member of the Order, it is logical that he is not attending any element of the day.
