Following King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to Italy, the monarch was represented by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh at a special event.

The wife of Charles’ youngest brother, Prince Edward, represented the King at the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy on Friday, April 11. 

Sophie, 60, inspected the troops of CC242 ahead of the parade, sharing a smile with some of the cadets, who just completed 44 weeks of rigorous training.

The parade takes place three times annually and is usually attended by the royals once per year. While the monarch traditionally attends the December parade, other royals may also attend in his stead. Sophie has attended the event two times prior, in 2013 and 2019.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, inspects officer cadets Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) on April 11, 2025.

Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty

Sophie’s appearance at the April event might be in celebration of a historic moment for Sandhurst. This term’s parade featured the school’s first all-female Banner Party. The trio consisted of Company Sergeant Major Brunton of the Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS), who carried the Sovereign’s Banner, Staff Sergeant Lewis of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and Staff Sergeant Bradley from the RAMS, who was given special permission to carry a bayonet in the party.

Sandhurst has a special connection to the royal family — it’s where brothers Prince William and Prince Harry had their military training.

During an appearance at the military parade in 2023, King Charles said, “Speaking as a father of two alumni of this Academy who remembers their passing out parades, I know they will be full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade.”

King Charles had no public events on April 11 following his state visit to Italy this week.

During the four-day trip, King Charles and Queen Camilla kept a busy schedule that included visiting the Colosseum, meeting with the Italian president and prime minister, attending a glamorous state banquet and snapping some new portraits to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9.

The King gave an historic address to a joint session of the Italian parliament, while the Queen visited with local schoolchildren. They also met with Pope Francis, despite previous concerns about the health of the religious leader.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet Pope Francis on April 9, 2025.

Vatican via Getty 

Although the monarchs’ scheduled trip to the Vatican was postponed as the Pope recovers from his recent hospitalization, the trio were able to have a private get-together as both he and the King recover from recent health troubles.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “Their Majesties were delighted The Pope was well enough to host them — and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person.”

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Though it was a whirlwind schedule of events, as the royal couple spent their final day in Ravenna, they admitted they were sad their Italian getaway was coming to an end.

“We’re having a wonderful visit,” Camilla told PEOPLE exclusively. “We’re very sad to be going home.”