After a few relaxing weeks of summer break, official royal duties are back under way – and the Duchess of Edinburgh is set for a very exciting return tomorrow (Thursday, September 4). Sophie will be flying to Canada for a four-day visit in a new role as Royal Patron of Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament.
The Duchess – who last visited Canada in 2023 – will be in the country between September 4 and 7. While there, she will tour the grounds, meet athletes, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, attend events, and enjoy world-class showjumping as part of Spruce Meadows’ 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Elsewhere, Sophie will also visit local charities supported by the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation – a cause that was also close to Queen Elizabeth II, as she previously visited Spruce Meadows in 1990 to inaugurate an event in her name.
Sophie’s visit has been warmly welcomed by the team at Spruce Meadows, lead by President and CEO, Linda Southern-Heathcott, who called the announcement “the most wonderful way in which we could have possibly celebrated our 50th Anniversary year.”
Linda Southern-Heathcott said: “My family and I are both delighted and humbled at the prospect of hosting Her Royal Highness at Spruce Meadows. We were so thrilled to be accepted as one of her Royal Patronages earlier this year, and look forward to demonstrating the many ways in which Spruce Meadows endeavours to live up to that honour.
“We hope Her Royal Highness will enjoy her time here, as much as we will most certainly appreciate welcoming her.”
Her trip to Canada comes two weeks before another exciting trip abroad to Japan with Prince Edward.
Last month, Buckingham Palace announced that the Duke of Edinburgh will be heading to two separate countries, Papua New Guinea and Japan.
In order to mark the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence from Australia, Prince Edward will visit Papua New Guinea on behalf of King Charles from Sunday, September 14, to Wednesday, September 17.
He will then be joined by the Duchess in Japan for a series of visits which will focus on topics such as youth opportunity, sustainability and innovation, educating the next generation, and women in leadership.
They will arrive in the country on Thursday, September 18 and remain there until Monday, September 22, to celebrate the good relationship between the UK and Japan.