Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attends her late mother-in-law's favourite event, the Royal Windsor Horse Show, after returning from Ukraine

The Duchess of Edinburgh sported an elegant ensemble as she attended day one of the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Wednesday.

Sophie, 59, was effortlessly elegant in a navy dress - adorned with golden buttons - and a checkered blazer while enjoying the event known to have been loved by her late mother-in-law, the Queen. 

The royal carried at £695 leather shoulder bag to accessorise, and tied the look together with blue suede boots.

She wore her blonde tresses down in a relaxed smile and opted for dewy, natural make-up. 

Snaps from the day also showed the mother-of-two looking focused as she took in today's event. 

The Duchess of Edinburgh sported an elegant ensemble as she attended day one of the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Wednesday

The Royal Windsor Horse Show, which opens today, has been one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the royal calendar, not just because of the quality of the entertainment but because of its close connection with King Charles's mother.

It was 1943 when a 23-year-old Princess Elizabeth attended the very first show, which had been staged in Windsor Home Park to raise funs for the war effort, in the company of her parents and her sister, Margaret.

She took first place in the Pony and Dogcart class - and returned for every show since.

Royal observers feel it was one of the happiest public engagements for the Queen, who could often be seen laughing and smiling, as these pictures show.

It  soon became a family affair. Her daughter Princess Anne, another skilled rider, competed in showjumping events and Prince Philip took part in carriage driving until his retirement in 2003. 

Sophie's husband Prince Edward, their daughter Lady Louise Windsor and even a young Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have taken part, too. 

The Queen, meanwhile, entered her own homebred horses in the competitions.  

Last year was the first show that Queen Elizabeth, who died in September 2022 missed, although it was reported that in 1991 a security guard attempted to refuse her entry as she didn't have a 'sticker'.

Sophie, 59, was effortlessly elegant in a navy dress - adorned with golden buttons - and a checkered blazer while enjoying the event known to have been loved by her late mother-in-law, the Queen

Snaps from the day also showed the mother-of-two looking focused as she took in today's event

She wore her blonde tresses down in a relaxed smile and opted for dewy, natural make-up today

Sophie appeared to be in high spirits as she enjoyed today's events on day one of the Royal Windsor Horse show

The royal carried at £695 leather shoulder bag to accessorise, and tied the look together with blue suede boots

Sophie's chic blazer served as the perfect weather for Wednesday's warm but cloudy Spring day

The royal was effortlessly elegant for the equestrian event as she donned a sophisticated ensemble

The Duchess of Edinburgh contrasted her navy dress with a light brown blazer and tanned leather handbag 

The Queen is said to have replied: 'I think if you check, I will be allowed to come in!' 

She even appeared at the show in 2022, having missed that year's State Opening of Parliament through illness. 

That very first day in 1943 was not a complete success for the Royal Family, as King George VI had a piece of chicken stole from his lunch plate by a lurcher.

It comes as earlier this week, the Duchess of Edinburgh has become the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.

Sophie met with President Zelensky and his wife - and passed on a personal message from King Charles - as she showed her solitary with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture during her emotional one-day trip.

The mother of-two travelled in her role as champion of the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

It is understood she was 'keen to show her solidarity with men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion'. 

She arrived in the country on the same day at least four people were killed in a barrage of Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa nearly 300 miles away.

In Kyiv the duchess listened as survivors of sexual violence, both male and female, bravely shared their stories, as well as talking to female IDPs - internally displaced persons - and volunteers who help their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.