We wouldn't have styled green and pink with burgundy but Duchess Sophie proved it's a winning combination
The Duchess of Edinburgh wore a gorgeous outfit for a winter engagement and it's given us burgundy styling inspiration


Duchess Sophie has proved that styling burgundy with pink and green can be a winning combination for winter.
Many of us will have already had a few burgundy items in our winter capsule wardrobe as it’s such a warm tone for the season but this year it’s had a resurgence like never before. This wine-red colour has been everywhere this autumn/winter and we’ve seen some gorgeous burgundy outfits, from Emilia Fox’s burgundy jumpsuit to Zara Tindall’s suit for the Together at Christmas service. One way we haven’t seen it styled before is with green and pink. It might sound like this would be a huge colour clash but Duchess Sophie has proved that this combination is bold and beautiful.
On 18th December she visited The Lighthouse in Woking, near to where she and Prince Edward live at Bagshot Park. They host a range of creative projects to support, empower and encourage those who are vulnerable or in need. For this special engagement the senior royal wore a burgundy coat, green wide-leg trousers and a deep pink blouse.
Recreate Duchess Sophie's Colour-Clash Outfit
This affordable burgundy coat has a classic lapel collar and a single-breasted cut, with a single button fastening. It would look lovely worn over a cosy roll neck jumper and your favourite jeans, as well as with a pink blouse and green trousers like Duchess Sophie's.
Perfect for wearing with jeans and skirts as well as wide-leg trousers, this gathered blouse is such a pretty shade of pink. It has a pop-over design, a button half placket and long billowy sleeves with button cuffs.
Whether or not you want to put together a full colour clash outfit like Duchess Sophie's, these trousers are gorgeous for the festive season and beyond. They also come in black, navy and burgundy and have a wide-leg silhouette and are made from comfy Ponte jersey.
This revere collar coat also comes in an oatmeal-grey tone but we love this wintry berry shade. It's single-breasted and longline, with a smooth lining, button cuffs and metallic buttons on the front. Dual flap pockets are a handy addition.
Duchess Sophie’s coat was by Vince and was single-breasted and smart, with long lapels and a single button fastening at the front. Many of the best winter coats are crafted with warm natural fibres and this piece was made from a wool-blend material, making it extra cosy for a cold December day. Although she likely didn’t carry too much for an official engagement, the handy pockets on either side are a practical feature for everyday wear too.
The timeless silhouette of the Duchess of Edinburgh’s coat was perfectly complemented by the deep burgundy colour. This tone might be a trendy hue right now, but Duchess Sophie has owned this particular piece for several years, showing how versatile it can be. Burgundy will never really go out of style for autumn/winter and it looks sensational with neutral shades.
You can easily wear a burgundy coat with a simple, neutral outfit underneath and it will elevate it into something a little bolder but still very wearable. Alternatively you can really embrace the pop of colour and pair a burgundy coat - or jumper, skirt or trousers - with contrasting shades. This is what Duchess Sophie did and we can’t help admiring the effect of her emerald green wide-leg trousers and cerise pink blouse with her coat.
The Emilia Wickstead Hullinie Cloque Wide-Leg trousers are high-waisted and have a crisp pleat running down the front that accentuates their formal feel. The vibrant green tone lifted the colour palette of the Duchess of Edinburgh’s outfit and the mix of red and green also nodded to the festive season. Her pink Soler London frill neck top was plum-pink and she tucked it loosely into her trousers for a relaxed smart-casual feel.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Styling very different colours together can seem tricky, but Duchess Sophie struck such a great balance here. Choosing a blouse that was more similar in tone to her burgundy coat meant that the green trousers were the single main point of contrast and this more pared-back approach to colour-clashing worked so well. The senior royal also chose to bring in a touch more burgundy with her Jimmy Choo Cycas Ankle Boots 80 in garnet.
We might not have considered wearing burgundy with these other colours before, but we certainly will now. This was such a cosy and fun outfit for her Christmas visit to The Lighthouse, of which she is a Patron, where she helped to serve food and spoke with beneficiaries.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her 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!
-
How to watch Race Across the World from anywhere - stream the BBC reality series online
The acclaimed reality series is back for a highly anticipated fifth outing, and there's no need to miss out on any of the action
By Lucy Wigley
-
I thought my swimsuit buying days were done after splashing out on a designer style - then I discovered this must-have H&M option
Priced at just under £25, the H&M padded-cup swimsuit seriously surprised me
By Caroline Parr
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)
All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Forget-me-not blue is the pastel Duchess Sophie always comes back to - it might've overtaken pistachio as our favourite this season
The royals love wearing a range of colours for engagements and visits, but there are a few hues that each of them gravitate towards the most.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Royal style made casual - Zara Tindall's one-shoulder dress, denim jacket and Aspinal bag are the epitome of chic summer comfort
Zara Tindall's outfit in Bahrain was a more relaxed take on her signature style and was made up of timeless staples.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Don't let white jeans daunt you - Duchess Sophie's recent outfit shows they're just as versatile as blue denim
Blue jeans are a wardrobe must-have for so many of us but white denim has a reputation for being a lot more challenging to style.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Maxima makes olive green look classy in Amsterdam as she wears co-ord that could pass for a jumpsuit
The Queen of the Netherlands went for a full on green outfit that was so impeccably put-together it looked like a one-piece.
By Emma Shacklock