The Countess of Wessex planted a tree Monday morning on the grounds at Buckingham Palace as part of The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.
Sophie appeared on the morning programme This Morning with presenter Eamonn Holmes to plant the tree. As part of The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a tree will be planted for each member of the Royal Family.
Sophie was wearing a dress and wedges as she planted her tree, causing her to joke with the host that she wasn’t dressed appropriately for gardening.
“The one concession I have made is to wear some very boring shoes because it’s actually been raining a lot. Otherwise, I would sink,” she told Holmes.
“Normally I’m teetering across wearing very high heels and not geared up for gardening. I thought I wouldn’t break with tradition today and do the same again.”
Sophie told Holmes about exploring the grounds of Buckingham Palace with her children Louise and James, how they’d travel down during the school holidays.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy was formally launched during the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in 2015 and is a forest restoration project that involves all Commonwealth countries.
The QCC has five objectives: raising awareness “of the value of indigenous forests” and conservation; creating a “unique network of forest conservation projects” that helps support Commonwealth initiatives; raising the profile of the Commonwealth and its capacity to “act together as one to ensure forest conservation”; helping exchange knowledge, practices and create collaborative ideas for forest conservation; and leaving a “physical and lasting legacy of The Queen’s leadership of the Commonwealth.”
Sophie spoke about The Queen’s Green Planet documentary that aired Monday evening on ITV, telling Holmes that she’d had an advanced screening.
“I have to say, it is really worth watching. It’s full of humour and warmth. The two of them [The Queen and Sir David Attenborough] get on very well together; there are some very funny moments. It’s a lovely tribute to a wonderful scheme.”