To mark World Sight Day, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, brought joy to children and royal fans alike by reading a bedtime story on national TV.
On Thursday, Sophie, the 59-year-old wife of Prince Edward, delighted viewers with a story about a young lion named Rex, who felt nervous about wearing his bright red glasses to school.
The tale, written by Yasmeen Ismail, was a perfect fit for Sophie’s ongoing passion for advocating for the sight-loss community and raising awareness about preventable blindness.
A Special Appearance on CBeebies
Dressed in a cozy light pink woolen jumper and sporting her own square-framed glasses, Sophie introduced herself with warmth, saying, “Hello, I’m Sophie, and this is Rex. He’s wearing very snazzy specs. Do you or anyone in your family wear glasses?”
She went on to reassure children that it’s okay to feel shy about glasses, just like Rex once did, but emphasized how much Rex loves wearing his glasses now.
As Sophie shared Rex’s journey, she encouraged children to be confident about their glasses, making the experience even more relatable and fun.
After finishing the story, Sophie praised Rex’s glasses, calling them “stylish and helpful” and reminded the audience to compliment others on their glasses.
Wrapping up the heartwarming segment, she bid viewers goodnight, inviting them to dream of beautiful things they might see tomorrow.
Praise from Fans and Royal History with CBeebies
After the story aired, fans took to social media to praise Sophie’s soothing voice and the warmth she brought to the bedtime reading.
One viewer gushed, “This is the most adorable thing you’ll see today,” while another noted how much they enjoyed Sophie’s cadence and accent.
The Duchess, who has two children herself—Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16—likely drew on her experience reading to her own kids for the role.
CBeebies’ Bedtime Story is a beloved segment that airs weekdays on the BBC, and Sophie is not the first royal to appear on the show.
The Princess of Wales also read a story in February 2022 to support Children’s Mental Health Week.
Sophie, however, chose this opportunity to honor World Sight Day, emphasizing her ongoing advocacy as Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
Sophie’s Growing Role in the Royal Family
In recent years, Sophie has become a key player in the royal family, particularly following the reduced engagements of King Charles and Kate Middleton during personal health challenges.
Sophie has doubled her royal engagements, completing 37 engagements in September alone, compared to 18 the previous year.
Sophie and Prince Edward recently visited Malta to mark the 60th anniversary of the island’s independence.
The trip held special meaning for the royal family, as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip lived there between 1949 and 1951.
During the visit, Sophie looked stunning in a floor-length white chiffon gown adorned with red poppies, while Edward matched the theme with a magenta tie.
The couple also took a sentimental moment to pose on a balcony where the late Queen and Philip were photographed 70 years ago.
Sophie’s International Humanitarian Efforts
Sophie’s royal duties extend beyond engagements in the UK.
In recent months, she has traveled to Tanzania and Iraq, as well as visiting Ukraine in April, where she met with President Zelensky.
Her visit to Ukraine marked her as the first British royal to visit the country since the Russian invasion, highlighting her dedication to supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and human rights efforts.
As Sophie continues to take on more prominent roles within the monarchy, she has solidified her reputation as one of the hardest-working members of the royal family.
From her heartfelt bedtime story to her humanitarian work, the Duchess of Edinburgh continues to leave a lasting impact.
What’s Next for Sophie?
With her increased royal engagements and ongoing humanitarian efforts, Sophie shows no signs of slowing down.
Fans and supporters alike are eager to see what’s next for the Duchess, as she continues to champion important causes and fill critical roles within the royal family.
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