Duchess of Edinburgh deemed a 'wonderful woman' after gesture with fan who braved the rain to meet royal

The Duchess of Edinburgh has been deemed a "wonderful woman" by royal fans after a kind gesture with a well-wisher.

Sophie, 61, rushed to greet the woman, who waited outside the Trinity restaurant in Clapham Common for the royal to arrive.

The duchess exclaimed: "You're busy getting wet out here!" as she stayed to chat with the fan despite the lateness.

The well-wisher gave some tulips to Sophie and shared that her name is Camila, but "with one L", as the pair engaged in conversation.

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Prince Edward's wife was attending a dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant as patron of the National Autistic Society.

Sophie has held the role of patron of the group since 2003.

The duchess stunned at the occasion in a £1,035 navy and gold Etro dress, which she matched with a black blazer and Jimmy Choo pumps.

The royal fan told Sophie: "I hope you had a lovely evening," in the clip, before the duchess responded: "It's a very nice restaurant. I've never been before."

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Social media users were quick to praise the royal for her kind gesture, with one saying she and Edward are "the best representatives" the Royal Family could ask for.

Other fans reflected on meeting the royal, with one sharing a story about the duchess helping her pick out a pair of ballet shoes.

Reflecting on the occurrence on the King's Road in Chelsea, the user wrote: "I was sitting trying a pair of ballet flats on, and this voice on a bench next to me said: 'Oh, I think I prefer that colour,' I looked to my side, and she was next to me, trying on the same shoes.

"Absolutely delightful, chatty, friendly lady."

The news comes as Sophie's husband, Prince Edward, has announced a new patronage to mark World Theatre Day.

The Duke of Edinburgh has taken on the role of patron at Viva Arts and Community Group, a small charitable organisation based in Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Dan Schumann, who founded the group in 1997, expressed his delight at the news.

"To get that kind of endorsement for a tiny little charity tucked away in Soham is incredible and extraordinary, and we're so honoured," he said.

The founder described the patronage as "a wonderful stamp of approval after all of the work".

Mr Schumann called it "the highest possible endorsement" and said the association with royalty represented recognition unlike any other for the Cambridgeshire arts charity.

The connection between the duke and Viva stretches back to 2023, when he officially opened The Viva Theatre, which operates within a converted biscuit mill.

Mr Schumann revealed he had maintained contact with the prince since that inaugural visit, describing it as "an endorsement like no other".

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