It was an emotional day for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh this week, as she attended an important military event. She wore a fitting, historical brooch for the day, but there was also another subtle detail in her outfit, which gave a nod to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was in Alrewas, Staffordshire for a memorial event for the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). During the Remembrance service, the Duchess became visibly emotional, and was seen wiping away her tears. Sophie was attending the day in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the REME Corps, which has served on operations around the world repairing and maintaining vehicles and equipment.

alrewas, staffordshire october 01: (embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time) sophie, duchess of edinburgh (in her role as colonel in chief) attends the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers (reme) memorial day at the royal british legion national remembrance gardens on october 1, 2026 in alrewas, staffordshire. the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers was formed in 1942 during the second world war and has subsequently served in operations in korea, northern ireland, the falklands, the gulf war, kosovo, iraq and afghanistan, maintaining and repairing vehicles, tanks, aircraft, firearms and electronic equipment. (photo by max mumby/indigo/getty images)
Max Mumby/Indigo
alrewas, staffordshire october 01: (embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time) sophie, duchess of edinburgh (in her role as colonel in chief) attends the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers (reme) memorial day at the royal british legion national remembrance gardens on october 1, 2026 in alrewas, staffordshire. the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers was formed in 1942 during the second world war and has subsequently served in operations in korea, northern ireland, the falklands, the gulf war, kosovo, iraq and afghanistan, maintaining and repairing vehicles, tanks, aircraft, firearms and electronic equipment. (photo by max mumby/indigo/getty images)
Max Mumby/Indigo

alrewas, staffordshire october 01: (embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time) sophie, duchess of edinburgh (in her role as colonel in chief) attends the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers (reme) memorial day at the royal british legion national remembrance gardens on october 1, 2026 in alrewas, staffordshire. the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers was formed in 1942 during the second world war and has subsequently served in operations in korea, northern ireland, the falklands, the gulf war, kosovo, iraq and afghanistan, maintaining and repairing vehicles, tanks, aircraft, firearms and electronic equipment. (photo by max mumby/indigo/getty images)
Max Mumby/Indigo

For the occasion, the Duchess chose a poignant and historic brooch which includes the emblem of the REME Corps. Such military brooches are often worn by loved ones, earning the name 'sweetheart brooch', according to Town and Country, a tradition dating back to World War II. Sophie attached her fitting brooch to a single-breasted navy blazer with gold buttons by LK Bennett, which she wore over a midi dress in the same shade of blue.

alrewas, staffordshire october 01: (embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time) sophie, duchess of edinburgh (in her role as colonel in chief) attends the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers (reme) memorial day at the royal british legion national remembrance gardens on october 1, 2026 in alrewas, staffordshire. the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers was formed in 1942 during the second world war and has subsequently served in operations in korea, northern ireland, the falklands, the gulf war, kosovo, iraq and afghanistan, maintaining and repairing vehicles, tanks, aircraft, firearms and electronic equipment. (photo by max mumby/indigo/getty images)
Max Mumby/Indigo
alrewas, staffordshire october 01: (embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time) sophie, duchess of edinburgh (in her role as colonel in chief) (brooch detail) attends the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers (reme) memorial day at the royal british legion national remembrance gardens on october 1, 2026 in alrewas, staffordshire. the corps of royal electrical and mechanical engineers was formed in 1942 during the second world war and has subsequently served in operations in korea, northern ireland, the falklands, the gulf war, kosovo, iraq and afghanistan, maintaining and repairing vehicles, tanks, aircraft, firearms and electronic equipment. (photo by max mumby/indigo/getty images)
Max Mumby/Indigo

Her dress is also where one much more subtle nod was included, given its pattern. While not an obvious design from afar, the dress features the Prince of Wales check, a pattern the Princess of Wales chose herself just days earlier. The pattern obviously has a fitting link to Prince William and Kate, given it reflects their current titles. Sophie's dress is also by Emilia Wickstead, a popular choice for the women of the Royal Family, including Kate.

Earlier this week, Sophie was in The Hague with women peacebuilders for an important forum. The Duchess met with women working to build peace and security from around the world, including Syria and Afghanistan. The visit is connected to Sophie's passionate work with the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda. The Royal Family explained in a post that the agenda 'emphasises the importance of women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, and raises awareness of the ongoing impact of conflict related sexual violence globally.'