Sophie Wessex steals the show in shimmering silver Erdem dress and white gold diamond drop earrings

Sophie Wessex Royal Variety Performance look is a clear sign, as if her fans needed it, that this hardworking royal is one of the Royal Family's most stylish members. The Countess' sparkly dress and enormously expensive precious adornments had an added bit of pizazz via her protocol-smashing manicure.

• Sophie Wessex Royal Variety Performance outfit of choice stood out on the red carpet as she greeted some of the most well-known performing artists on the planet.
• She and Prince Edward were the guests of honor at the annual event, which is held each year at the Royal Albert Hall and the first since the Queen died.
• In other royal news, King Charles grants himself important title formerly held by Prince Philip.

As one might expect of such an important, glamorous event, Sophie Wessex Royal Variety Show outfit was incredibly chic. Move over Kate Middleton's dresses, because the Countess' gown of choice by high-end label Erdem was an absolute show stopper. As the old entertainment maxim goes, the show must go on and although this stylish royal's stunning look was one hell of a distraction - the night was a rip-roaring success.

The gown in question cost a reported £3K, according to the Daily Mail, and comes from Erdem - a brand synonymous with chic gowns. For fans of royal fashion, however, the main focus is on the jewels chosen to accompany the outfit of choice.

Speaking to woman&home Zack Stone, one of the resident experts at Steven Stone, said, "It was wonderful to see the Earl and Countess of Wessex at the 95th Royal Variety Performance and as always, Sophie Wessex looked as elegant as ever. Sophie was wearing a pair of diamond and sapphire drop earrings that are set in white gold. Featuring 4 carats worth of bold sapphires and 10 carats worth of diamonds, they're a magnificent piece of jewelry."

As history shows, sapphires are considered the most important gemstones of the Royal Family. Well-known examples include Kate Middleton's engagement ring, which famously once belonged to Princess Diana and Princess Anne's two engagement rings - which also feature the stone.

Zack pointed out that we've seen Sophie's stunning earrings before, when she wore them in Gibraltar back in June 2022, during a royal visit to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. This, says the expert, "gives them a touch of sentimentality that has been heightened since the late monarch's sad passing in September."

Taking all of that into consideration, the expert says, "I'd estimate the piece to be worth a staggering £250,000."

It wasn't just her dress and jewelry that sparkled, as the Countess' old Hollywood style glam manifested itself in her makeup too. She shimmered and shined with her gorgeous eye make up and glowing complexion.

Any followers of the stringent beauty rules expected of the females in the Royal Family may have noticed that Sophie Wessex' nail polish of choice breaks royal protocol. The stunning dark, shimmery red is high vamp, Hollywood glamour with the perfect little injection of Yuletide sparkle.

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Scarlet Starlet, $11.99(£5.99) | Amazon

Nothing screams old Hollywood glam and Yuletide festive looks like a sparkly red nail. Update your usual manicure with a little sparkle, during the festive season and beyond. As Sophie Wessex knows only too well - sparkles are a girl's best friend!

The Royal Variety Performance features a plethora of talent from the UK and all over the planet. Musical performances include Nile Rogers & Chic, George Ezra, Ellie Goulding, and Becky Hill. While the show will also feature acrobatics from Cirque Du Soleil and Giffords Circus as well as German magicians The Ehrlich Brothers and comedians Al Murray, Maisie Adam, Omid Djalili, and Axel Blake.