ONE YEAR ON FROM ELIZABETH II'S DEATH THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY IN THE MOST FITTING WAY

Sophie strolls in the autumn sunshine (above) with friends Fiona and (far right) David Howden, who run the Cornbury House Horse Trials. Donning sunglasses (bottom), she is introduced to a friendly competitor

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

They were the closest of confidantes and loved to catch up for afternoon tea and a chat, so it was perhaps fitting that the Duchess of Edinburgh spent the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death surrounded by horses.

Sophie, 58, watched the equestrian action at the Cornbury House Horse Trials in the Cotswolds, where her niece Zara Tindall had competed over the previous two days.

Dressed for the warm autumn day in a white cotton dress and espadrilles, with a pair of sunglasses perched on her head, she looked cool and relaxed as she walked around the parklands with her friend David and Fiona Howden, who live in nearby Cornbury House and host the five-day event each year.