Duchess Sophie's printed midi dress ticked off two autumn trends at once - this elegant staple is the perfect pairing for knee-high boots
The Duchess of Edinburgh styled it for warm weather in Zambia but this frock would look gorgeous with cosy brown or tan accessories
So many of this year's autumn/winter fashion trends are incredibly wearable (I'm looking at you, minimalism) and Duchess Sophie just showcased two of them to perfection when she met with President Hakainde Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta of Zambia. She's undertaking a six-day visit and she pulled out the fashion stops for this special meeting and wore a silk-blend V-neck midi dress from Veronica Beard.
The scarf print design blended dark navy, olive green and burnt orange with a mix of geometric and floral motifs. It was a moody alternative to Sophie's beloved floral frocks and it ties in with both the 'gothic romance' and 'new boho trends' for 2026.
Shop Autumnal Patterned Dresses
Like Duchess Sophie's frock, this would look beautiful with tan suede boots and a matching jacket, but you could also dress it down with a denim jacket instead. It's got ruching on the empire seam, side pockets and long puffed sleeves. There's a full lining and the colours in the pattern scream autumn.
Affordable and elegant, this midi dress has a sweeping V-neckline, long sleeves and a striking floral print. The combination of the navy, tan and chestnut brown feels so seasonal and is easy to style too. Layer a knitted vest or cardigan over the top when the weather gets colder.
This midi shirt dress boasts an intricate scarf print design and has a belted waist for a touch more structure. It can be elevated with heeled knee-high boots and a tailored coat or made more casual with ankle boots or trainers and a jacket. If you're not quite sure how to style navy, I personally love camel and tan tones with it.
Complete The Look
These Next ankle boots come in several colours and are made with the brand's Forever Comfort technology. The low heel adds elevation whilst still being sturdy and the Western inspired elements in the design are a chic touch. Slip on with jeans or style with midi dresses for autumn date nights.
Crafted from 18ct gold-plated sterling silver, this T-bar pendant is suspended from a delicate chain for a contemporary look. You can also get it in silver and in different chain lengths, including extendable versions. Wear it as a single necklace like the Duchess of Edinburgh did or layer it up.
The Dune Tayla boots are a classic for a reason and they're back in a huge range of colours for autumn/winter 2026, including this chocolate brown hue. They're made with soft suede and have a stretchy back too. The toes are rounded and the block heel is low and minimalist.
The handkerchief hem emphasised the flowy shape and bold patterns we love to see with boho-style dresses and although it wasn't maxi-length, the asymmetric skirt wasn't far off in places. The dark colour palette and silhouette of the Duchess of Edinburgh's dress also ticks off the gothic romance trend in a subtler way.
You could easily take this a step further and go for a primarily black patterned frock instead, perhaps one with pops of burgundy in the design.
Navy is a softer alternative and I particularly love the way this colour looks with tan and brown which is still an autumn/winter fashion colour trend for this year. Sophie didn't need to dress full-on autumn in Zambia as it was so warm and finished off her ensemble with beige heels, a matching clutch and a sprinkling of gold jewellery.
This was beautiful too, but it's easy to imagine how she'd re-wear her frock back home. Printed midi dresses are so useful to have in your collection for occasions where you want to feel elegant and put-together, but don't want to fuss over combinations.
They do all the talking for you and you can keep everything else timeless and neutral. Duchess Sophie and her fellow royals most-worn footwear for the colder months is undoubtedly knee-high boots and they complement midi and maxi hemlines particularly well.
The lengths complement each other and create a flattering frame-elongating effect. Taller boots are also covering most of your legs in material so they tend to be very warm too whilst still looking chic.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has several pairs that she wears on repeat and her tan suede Gianvito Rossi ones would work particularly well with this silk dress for some soft colour contrast.
If you prefer leather then the smooth texture is equally fabulous against a flowy dress and ties in with the 'gothic romance' trend even more. A leather jacket would also be great, though Sophie didn't need another layer in Zambia and kept things smart and sophisticated.
She presented gifts to President Hakainde Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, including a scarf with Scottish cashmere on one side and chitenge fabric on the other. It was made by textile students who are supported by The King's Foundation and she also gave the couple jars of honey made by the bees at royal residences.
