Duchess Sophie's comfy espadrilles and maxi skirt are so elegant

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh tours the National Botanic Garden during an official visit to Nepal — (Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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Shop Sophie's Espadrilles
Shop Floral Maxi Skirts

There's no doubt about it, Duchess Sophie's favourite spring/summer shoes are definitely espadrilles and she has quite the collection, ranging from wedges to flats. Her TOMS flatform Valencia shoes fall in between, as they give extra lift whilst still being perfect for the daytime.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has worn them a lot, including last February when she was on a six-day trip to Nepal. The weather was admittedly far warmer there but looking back at her visit to the National Botanic Garden I can't help dreaming about espadrille and maxi skirt outfits.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh tours the National Botanic Garden during an official visit to Nepal on February 06, 2025

Shop Sophie's Espadrilles

Exact Match

TOMS White Valencia Platform Espadrilles

Featuring a flatform that gives elevation without being a wedge, these espadrilles are something you can style for both daytime and evening occasions. They have rubber soles wrapped in rope, canvas uppers and a padded heel.

TOMS Natural Alpargata Rope 2.0 Espadrilles

If you love the look of Duchess Sophie's espadrilles but flatforms aren't for you, then these are very similar and have a flat design. They're slip-on, with canvas uppers and comfortable CloudBound™ insoles.

Penelope Chilvers Montserrat Espadrilles

Now back in stock, Penelope Chilvers' Montserrat espadrilles have a secure ankle strap and a peep-toe design. The champagne colourway makes these feel extra glamorous and yet metallics are far more versatile than you might imagine.

Shop Floral Maxi Skirts

ME+EM Rising Wildflower Maxi Skirt

ME+EM's Rising Wildflowers print is beautiful, detailed and yet still quite neutral. The skirt is made from lightweight cotton jersey and has an elasticated waistband for comfort. The silhouette is A-line and it falls to a maxi length.

Boden Verity Maxi Skirt Multi-Blossom

Boden also makes a matching top to go with this maxi skirt if you are a big fan of co-ords. The pattern is bold and joyful, and the waist is elasticated. Functional pockets are a handy addition and there's a discreet zip at the side.

Zara Floral Print Belted High-Waisted Skirt

Affordable and spring-like, this floral print skirt also comes with a woven belt for added texture. The white background balances out the striking pops of pink, purple and green in the floral pattern. Gold-toned buttons tie in with the buckle on the belt.

The Valencia design features a rubber sole wrapped in rope to give that traditional jute look, and the heel is padded for comfort. Duchess Sophie owns the plain white canvas versions, though TOMS also make these in various other colours and patterns.

Personally, I think hers are one of the cleverest choices as they're so neutral that you can pair them with almost any outfit and they're more elevated than your best white trainers without being ultra smart.

The platform also accentuates this and you could easily wear espadrilles like these in the daytime without feeling over-dressed or uncomfortable. The Duchess of Edinburgh styled hers with her Zimmerman maxi skirt featuring a watercolour-esque floral pattern cascading upwards from the hem.

The print looks like pink poppies and this piece comes with a raffia belt attached as part of the design, though adding a separate belt to a skirt is really easy to do and is a cost-effective way to switch things up. Sophie's skirt fell to just above her espadrilles and created an elegant leg-elongating silhouette.

She tucked in a white T-shirt and layered over a pastel pink single-breasted blazer. Blush tones are very on-trend for spring/summer 2026 and the royal is a long-time fan of them anyway.

"If Barbie pink isn't for you, paler petal colours are much easier to work into your wardrobe," says woman&home's Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr. "As Sophie shows, a pink blazer will perfectly complement florals, but you could try pairing yours with jeans for a smart casual weekend look too."

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh tours the Living Mountain Lab at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) during an official visit to Nepal

The Duchess of Edinburgh's ensemble was sophisticated for Day 3 of her Nepal visit, though swapping a blazer for a cardigan or denim jacket would make it more low-key. The beauty of the maxi skirt and espadrille combination is that it's easy to dress up or down with other pieces and is quite timeless.

She wore hers for a tour of the National Botanic Garden, where she helped school children to plant a rhododendron (Nepal's national flower). Duchess Sophie also visited the Living Mountain Lab at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and the Gurkha Welfare Trust Welfare Centre where she and Prince Edward met Gurkha veterans, widows and staff.

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Emma is a Royal Editor with nine years of experience in publishing. She specialises in writing about the British Royal Family, covering everything from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her extensive royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!

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