Duchess of Edinburgh strikes an elegant chord as she meets the Band of the Coldstream Guards at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, struck an elegant chord during a visit to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

As the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Army Music, Sophie, 60, was especially pleased to meet members of the Band of the Coldstream Guards at the military training academy in Camberley, Surrey, on Thursday.

With her blonde tresses swept back into a low bun, the royal mother-of-two arrived at the academy to a fanfare played by seven band members in scarlet tunics and bearskin caps.

Sophie made sure to wrap up warm in a pale grey woollen coat from one of her go-to British designers Suzannah London.

Once inside, Sophie removed her outer layer to reveal a Prada polka-dot dress (estimated at £3,400) and started chatting to members of the Band of the Coldstream Guards – one of the oldest and best known bands in the British Army.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards can be traced back to the early years of military music and is comprised of musicians from The Royal Corps of Army Music.

Over the years, Sophie has seen the band perform at several high profile engagements including Trooping the Colour, the National Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph and The King’s Birthday Parade.

Sophie, who married the late Queen’s eldest son Prince Edward in 1999, looked delighted to meet members of the band and was even treated to a performance.

The Duchess kept her makeup simple for the visit, opting to lightly fill in her eyebrows, accentuate her blue eyes with mascara and top it off with a pink shimmer on her lips.

Sophie wore a pair of nude heels to visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst with delicate pearl detailing.

Known for her sophisticated sense of style, she completed her look with silver earrings in the shape of a flower and a dainty gold necklace.

As a nod to her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Army Music, Sophie proudly wore its badge on her left-hand side.

It depicts a Crown Lyre in an oak and palm wreath design with a scroll bearing the corps motto in Latin: ‘Nulli Secondus’ (second to none).

After enjoying a musical performance from the Band of the Coldstream Guards, Sophie officially opened the Duchess of Edinburgh Hall at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, unveiling a golden plaque with her name on it.

To round of her visit, the Duchess of Edinburgh will attend dinner at Gibraltar Barracks in Camberley.

Despite the Duchess celebrating her 60th birthday on January 20, her week has been filled with royal engagements.

The royal mother-of-two is greeted by a fanfare played by band members in scarlet tunics and bearskin caps

Once inside, Sophie removed her outer layer to reveal a Prada polka-dot dress (estimated at £3,400) 

Sophie chatting to members of the Band of the Coldstream Guards – one of the oldest and best known bands in the British Army

The Band of the Coldstream Guards can be traced back to the early years of military music and is comprised of musicians from The Royal Corps of Army Music

Over the years, Sophie has seen the band perform at several high profile engagements including Trooping the Colour, the National Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph and The King’s Birthday Parade

Sophie, who married the late Queen’s eldest son Prince Edward in 1999, claps after a performance by the Band of the Coldstream Guards

After enjoying a musical performance from the Band of the Coldstream Guards, Sophie officially opened the Duchess of Edinburgh Hall at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

She reads the golden plaque commemorating the opening of the performance hall

On Tuesday, Sophie visited the charity Dogs for Autism in Hampshire where she was welcomed by a contingent of excitable puppies and their partners, who shared the positive impact these assistance dogs have on their lives. 

Founded in 2016, Dogs for Autism is the first charity in the UK to exclusively provide autism assistance dogs at no cost to their new owner.

The Duchess looked elegant in a navy blue suit from Alexander McQueen (estimated at £1,900) that she paired with a crisp white shirt, dainty gold necklace, and statement leaf earrings – which the pup she was holding seemed drawn to.

She fashioned her blonde tresses into an elegant updo and kept her makeup looking natural and dewy, having only lightly filled in her eyebrows and applied mascara to accentuate her pale blue eyes.

Sophie was a good sport as she posed for pictures with the nine-week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy and giggled as he licked her fingers and face before going for her earrings.

As she listened to staff, trustees and volunteers at Dogs for Autism, Sophie let the puppy snuggle in her lap with a toy and a dog bed for good measure.

Coincidentally, the puppy who won Sophie’s affection had a royal connection himself; it was later revealed that his name is Lord Louis of Spudringham.

While delighting in puppy cuddles from Louis, Sophie was informed that he was bred by a specialist cardiac vet, dedicated to eradicating the specific health challenges that can affect Cavaliers.

Sophie visits the charity Dogs for Autism in Hampshire where she was welcomed by a contingent of excitable puppies

The Duchess meets an assistance dog at the training centre in Alton

The Duchess of Edinburgh and CEO of Dogs for Autism Hilary Armour watch a a display by assistance dog Finn

Assistance dog Buddy presents a gift basket to the Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to Dogs for Autism in Alton

The Duchess holds the gift basket after visiting Dogs with Autism

While Louis is the newest member of the Dogs for Autism team, his older sibling, Lexi, is already training there and the charity are delighted with her work.

In one sweet moment, Sophie planted a kiss on the pooch’s tiny nose before saying goodbye to her new furry friend.

Her Royal Highness then visited the charity’s Training Centre, where trainee assistance dogs Buddy, Jack, and Finn demonstrated their training.

At the end of her visit, Buddy surprised the Duchess with a woven basket containing a Cocker Spaniel plush.

Earlier in the week, Sophie celebrated her birthday surrounded by family at her home in Bagshot Park, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh and their children Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, along with their own cocker spaniel, Mole, black Labradors, Teal and Teasel, and tortoise named Marmite.