Duchess of Edinburgh marks her sixtieth birthday early with celebratory cake throughout London group centre go to

The Duchess of Edinburgh beamed as she received a birthday cake during an engagement in London today.

Sophie, 59, who will turn 60 on January 20, was welcomed to Company Shop’s community shop in Lambeth with an iced celebratory cake.

The royal, who took photographs with the sweet treat, appeared thrilled to receive the thoughtful gift.

Elsewhere, the 59-year-old got stuck in with everyday activities at the hub, including serving up a selection of delicious foods to attendees.

Company Shop is an initiative with 13 UK locations where people can purchase affordable and quality foods and socialise with community members.

‘We’re a community hub where you can meet new people, enjoy delicious meals at discounted prices, and get support with life-changing programmes,’ the website reads.

While browsing the shelves, Sophie put on an elegant display in a deep crimson knitted jumper, which she paired with a contrasting green maxi skirt, and a relaxed cream coat.

The mother-of-two wore her glossy blonde tresses loose for the outing, and opted for a classic makeup look, complete with clear base, peach blush, and a classic pink lip.

Sophie appeared in high spirits throughout the engagement and was even seen giving a thumbs up to a community member.

Executive Chairman of Community Shop, Gary Stott, said: ‘We are honoured to have welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, to Community Shop Lambeth today. 

‘This Royal visit highlights the vital importance of our mission and is a real boost for the Community Shop team who work tirelessly to tackle food insecurity. 

‘Our Lambeth store provides a lifeline for the local community and we’re proud to have created a vibrant, welcoming space where people come to share stories, learn and eat together.’

Esther Dennis, Community Wellbeing Practitioner said: ‘The success of our model is evident in the numbers – over the past decade we’ve managed to save our local members over £6 million on their shopping in our Lambeth store enabling our community to support themselves and their families. 

‘Money raised in Community Shop Lambeth has been re-invested into delivering 12,000 development programmes for the local community. 

‘The Duchess of Edinburgh’s support today will help to amplify our message as we continue expanding our efforts to tackle food poverty in our local community and nationwide.’

It comes after the Princess of Wales shared a sweet greeting with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh at her Christmas carol service.

The bond was evident between the pair when Kate, 43, reached out to Sophie for a touching kiss at the royal’s fourth annual Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey on December 6.

For the Princess, it was her most significant public engagement since completing chemotherapy treatment for her undisclosed form of cancer.

Once Kate spotted the Duchess, 59, she embraced her with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.

The pair looked in their element as they reunited, while the Princess continued to show her closeness with the Duchess by placing a touching hand on her shoulder.

They were a stylish duo, with Kate donning an elegant Alexander McQueen red coat with a statement black bow; and Sophie opting for a floral bohemian style dress and white wintry blazer.

As the pair have grown close over the last 13 years, it is perhaps expected they would begin to mirror one another’s style.

Sophie paired her stylish look with brown boots and a white bag, along with glowing make-up and blonde tresses which were kept loose with a light curl at the end.

Meanwhile, Kate teamed her festive red look with a pair of black Ralph Lauren boots, while her signature brunette locks were styled in loose waves for the occasion. 

While it is thought that Sophie has, at times, looked to the Princess for fashion inspiration, it’s been suggested that Kate has turned to the Duchess for a helping hand in both duty and personal matters as of late.

Since marrying into the Royal Family 25 years ago, the Duchess of Edinburgh has proven herself to be one of the Firm’s key players, but lately she has stepped up to the plate in a different way – most especially for Kate.

The festive period has been a busy time, yet the Duchess of Edinburgh has been hard at work attending several engagements in recent weeks.

Whether singing carols or making mince pies, Sophie hasn’t shied away from stepping up and undertaking engagements while Kate has made a gradual return to duties following treatment for cancer.

Back in November, the Duchess showed her supportive side when she warmly put her arm around a Yazidi survivor while attending a photography exhibition.

Then, last month, Sophie wore a glamorous gown and attended the Qatar State Banquet at Buckingham Palace with other royals.

Days later, the Duchess of Edinburgh joined in with the festivities during a visit to the Bagshot Women’s Institute and made decorations.

While at the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey, Sophie stood by the Princess of Wales, and the following week she got stuck in with Christmas fun with the Disability Initiative charity and sang carols.

And on November 27, Sophie attended ‘The Women Who Beat ISIS’ photography exhibition at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

The event was hosted by Farida Global which supports genocide survivors and victims of conflict and religious persecution.

During her visit, Sophie met Awaz Abdi and shared a tender moment with the Yazidi survivor. She put her arm supportively around the young woman while they were walking, deep in conversation.

The Duchess also took time to look at the portraits of other Yazidi women who had been held captive by ISIS and suffered terrible horrors.

Less than a week later, Sophie was busy attending the Qatari State Banquet, where she dazzled in an elegant black gown.

She accompanied Qatari Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi and wore the Wessex aquamarine tiara. 

Other Royals in attendance included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince William, Sir Timothy Laurence, Duchess of Gloucester, and Sophie’s husband, Prince Edward.

Kate wasn’t present at the banquet, but she did greet the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on Horse Guards Parade in London. She also joined them for a private lunch at Buckingham Palace later that day.

Their bond was also observed when Sophie joined Kate on the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – where they watched the Remembrance Sunday service unfold.

As they stepped into public view, the Princess hinted to her husband’s aunt that she was feeling overwhelmed – reportedly telling her: ‘You’re never quite ready for this…’

After reassuring the Princess, the Duchess of Edinburgh placed a supportive, ‘maternal’ hand on the future Queen’s back as they walked back inside following the two-minute silence, which was broadcast live to the nation.