Duchess Sophie wows in velvet midi dress and sparkling handbag for the Royals’ Remembrance Day Festival

Duchess Sophie made a moving appearance at the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening, wearing a stunning crushed velvet dress from her favourite designer brand and a chic embellished handbag that added some subtle sparkle to the muted look.

The Royal Family made a rare joint appearance last night for the Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert hall, with the senior members of The Firm attending together to honour the service of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces.

While we didn't get to see much of Duchess Sophie as she sat in a back row of the Royal Box, we did catch a glimpse of her stunning outfit as she arrived at the event alongside her husband Prince Edward - and her look is a masterclass in sophisticated styling.

Get Duchess Sophie's Look

As all the Royal Family did, Duchess Sophie wore all black for the event, in keeping with the sombre tone of the Festival. But this monochrome outfit was still striking, with the stunning crushed velvet of her Velvet Grandad Dress by Suzannah London, which is one of her favourite British brands, creating a lovely, understated look that oozed sophistication.

The Grandad Dress is a beautiful piece, with a simple A-line silhouette, chic notched collar and cuffed detailing at the arms that gave the sleeves and shoulders a lovely, puffed-up look and cut a striking silhouette. The velvet texture looked impossibly luxe and heavy as it caught the light while Sophie walked to her seat, proving why the material is a must in any winter capsule wardrobe - especially for when we're putting together Christmas party outfits.

The Grandad dress, which retails for £1,650, does not come in black velvet if you buy it direct from the brand, suggesting that Sophie had the piece made bespoke - though the cherry red, sparkling purple, festive dark green and stunning bordeaux shades it does come in are stunning.

With a pair of sleek black tights and classic black pumps from Christian Dior finishing off her outfit, it was Sophie's handbag that really caught the eye with its fun sequin embellishments adding a subtle pop of shimmer to the outfit. The accessory was a great choice, showing off tonnes of personality with its playful, glimmering look while also being respectably reserved and reflecting the tone of the Festival.

To accessorise, Sophie opted for a simple silver pendant necklace and matching pair of stud earrings, and these subtle jewellery pieces left her regimental brooch of the Queen's Own Yeomanry, of which she is Royal Colonel, and a poppy brooch pinned to her dress to shine.