A royal hen-deavour! Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, cuddles rescue chicken 'Stumpy' and feeds a horse during animal sanctuary visit in Surrey

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  • The mother-of-two visited Mane Chance Sanctuary, a horse rescue charity
  • READ MORE: Duchess of Edinburgh opts for sharp tailoring as she presents an award at the British Fashion Council 

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, seemed to be having the time of her life on Wednesday as she visited an animal sanctuary in Surrey.

The royal, 59, sweetly cuddled a rescue chicken called ‘Stumpy’ at Mane Chance Sanctuary, a horse rescue charity.

The mother-of-two enjoyed meeting the animals and even got to feed one of the horses alongside students completing their Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Sophie, known for being a good sport, even had the opportunity to take part in the weighing of Shetland Ponies with young children from the local community. 

The Duchess was accompanied by a group from community team initiative Young Onset Dementia as she visit the new rescue enclosure for the chickens. 

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, seemed to be having the time of her life on Wednesday as she visited an animal sanctuary in Surrey. Pictured with 'Stumpy' the rescue chicken

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, seemed to be having the time of her life on Wednesday as she visited an animal sanctuary in Surrey. Pictured with ‘Stumpy’ the rescue chicken

The mother-of-two enjoyed meeting the animals and even got to feed one of the horses alongside students completing their Duke of Edinburgh awards

The mother-of-two enjoyed meeting the animals and even got to feed one of the horses alongside students completing their Duke of Edinburgh awards

Earlier on, Sophie had been wearing a smart suit to visit Hale Community and Youth Centre in Farnham, but added a casual green hoody from Mane Chance for her time with the animals.  

She wore a smart suit, complete with forest green Emilia Wickstead tailored trousers and a chocolate blazer from Gabriela Hearst.

She opted to keep her blonde tresses loose and donned a £795 necklace engraved with Bob Marley’s quote ‘love the life you live, live the life you love’, worn previously on a tour to St Lucia in 2022.

The 9ct yellow gold pendant is designed by London-based jeweller Cassandra Goad, and was complemented by Sophie’s Giulia Barela Arizona gold earrings.

Sophie added a bespoke Sophie Habsburg bag in zebra print to complete her look, alongside subtle kitten heels from Jimmy Choo.

Earlier on, Sophie was pictured giving hugs to ecstatic schoolchildren while visiting Hale Community Centre in Farnham. 

She got stuck in as she helped out at the community garden and was rewarded with a cup of tea in the café and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. 

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was beaming on Wednesday as she visited a community centre in Surrey

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was beaming on Wednesday as she visited a community centre in Surrey

The royal, 59, looked as radiant as ever on the visit to Hale Community and Youth Centre in Farnham, Surrey

The royal, 59, looked as radiant as ever on the visit to Hale Community and Youth Centre in Farnham, Surrey

During the visit, Sophie met with royal fans and helped children with arts and crafts projects, even picking up a paint brush. 

She also showed her competitive side as she played the tile-based game Rummikub with members of the community centre.  

She gave out high-fives aplenty to awaiting schoolchildren who had hoped to catch a glimpse of the royal.  

Hale Community centre is a resource that provides a range of services, activities and meeting spaces for people of all ages. 

It states on the website: ‘Our aim is to provide recreational, learning, business and social activities, which are accessible and affordable,’ and offers a garden, cafe and youth centre. 

Sophie was pictured giving hugs to ecstatic schoolchildren who had turned out with union jack flags for the occasion

Sophie was pictured giving hugs to ecstatic schoolchildren who had turned out with union jack flags for the occasion

She then helped out in the community centre's garden, getting hands on with the task ahead

She then helped out in the community centre’s garden, getting hands on with the task ahead

Sophie beamed as she was rewarded with a bouquet of flowers - and a much deserved cup of tea

Sophie beamed as she was rewarded with a bouquet of flowers – and a much deserved cup of tea

Sophie stunned in a smart suit
The look was complete with forest green tailored trousers and a brown jacket

Sophie stunned in a smart suit, complete with forest green tailored trousers and a brown jacket

The Duchess was radiant for the occasion, and accessorised with gold jewellery

The Duchess was radiant for the occasion, and accessorised with gold jewellery

She donned a £795 necklace engraved with Bob Marley's quote 'love the life you live, live the life you love'

She donned a £795 necklace engraved with Bob Marley’s quote ‘love the life you live, live the life you love’

The personable duchess gave out high-fives aplenty to schoolchildren who had turned out to get a glimpse of the royal

The personable duchess gave out high-fives aplenty to schoolchildren who had turned out to get a glimpse of the royal

Sophie also visited Parity for Disability at Mytchett near Camberley on Wednesday, which supports people with multiple disabilities. 

There, the Duchess learned about ‘eye gaze’ – the computer system the students use to talk – and was delighted by a model of Buckingham Palace made out of pasta. 

The Duchess of Edinburgh had one student in a fit of the giggles as she tried out an ‘eye gaze’ computer communication system.

She joined students to decorate cakes, stopped off at the accessible bike unit and visited its garden club.

But she really bonded with student Brian Randal, who thought her efforts on the ‘eye gaze’ were hilarious.

The device allows users to ‘speak’ by selecting words and forming sentences on a screen just by using their eyes, which are then read aloud.

The royal, wearing sharp green trousers and a brown blazer with a pink jumper, looked delighted at his reaction and clasped Brian’s hand.

The young man is said to have found his new screen a lifeline and become hugely adept at using it to communicate, as well as using it to run his favourite quizzes at the centre.

The Duchess of Edinburgh had one student in a fit of the giggles as she tried out an ‘eye gaze’ computer communication system
Sophie also visited Parity for Disability at Mytchett near Camberley on Wednesday, which supports people with multiple disabilities

The Duchess of Edinburgh had one student in a fit of the giggles as she tried out an ‘eye gaze’ computer communication system

: Sophie, Duchess Of Edinburgh holds hands with student Brian Randal during a visit to Parity for Disability

: Sophie, Duchess Of Edinburgh holds hands with student Brian Randal during a visit to Parity for Disability

Sophie, who is married to Queen Elizabeth’s son, Prince Edward, and is sister-in-law to King Charles, is known as one of the Royal Family’s hardest working royals and recently returned from an official visit to Tanzania.

Last week, Sophie was all smiles as she visited a medical centre during her trip to Tanzania. 

The mother-of-two was celebrating how the UK and African nation have collaborated on various issues including health, agriculture and women’s empowerment. 

On Wednesday, Sophie – who is the global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) – met with TT surgery beneficiary, Hadija Shaban Kawam and Hon. Jenista Mhagama MP, Minister of Health. The women smiled for pictures as they chatted in front of Hadija’s home in Kibaha.

And the duchess was pictured beaming as she perched on the floor and rested her hand on Hadija’s, who responded to the gesture with a sweet smile. 

During the visit, Sophie donned a maxi dress with statement geometric navy, brown, and beige print running across it.

The royal looked completely at ease in her collared frock, her blonde tresses clipped back out of the way behind her head. 

The personable royal eagerly chatted to schoolchildren, who had hoped to catch a glimpse of her

The personable royal eagerly chatted to schoolchildren, who had hoped to catch a glimpse of her

She even helped one child build a very ambitious tower out of giant lego blocks

She even helped one child build a very ambitious tower out of giant lego blocks

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to the Hale Youth & Community Centre on September 25, 2024 in Farnham, England

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to the Hale Youth & Community Centre on September 25, 2024 in Farnham, England

She also showed her competitive side as she played the tile-based game Rummikub with members of the community centre

She also showed her competitive side as she played the tile-based game Rummikub with members of the community centre

However the Duchess appeared to be finding it all good fun, despite not placing many tiles down herself

However the Duchess appeared to be finding it all good fun, despite not placing many tiles down herself

During her visit, Sophie met with royal fans and helped children with arts and crafts projects, even picking up a paint brush

During her visit, Sophie met with royal fans and helped children with arts and crafts projects, even picking up a paint brush

Sophie added a chic zebra print bag to complete her look, alongside subtle kitten heels

Sophie added a chic zebra print bag to complete her look, alongside subtle kitten heels

And Hadija seemed at ease too: at one point, the surgery beneficiary appeared to throw her head back in a fit of giggles as the pair chatted animately.

The duchess also visited the Mlandizi Health Center Tanzania – which offers eye treatment services through the Non-Governmental Organization Sightsavers – so she could see some the treatments in action.

As part of the duchess’ visit, she witnessed a live TT surgery – which corrects trachomatous trichiasis. This is a condition where one or more eyelashes touch the eye due to lid scarring, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Sophie was pictured wearing pale blue scrubs and a medical face mask as she observed the treatment being carried out on one patient.    

While at the clinic, she also spoke with one Trachoma patient Jumanne Seif Lwambo, during his appointment as well as medic Dr Hiza. 

Sophie is visiting the African nation solo, flying there to deliver a message from King Charles to the Commonwealth nation. 

On the first day of her visit on Tuesday, Sophie delivered a speech signed personally by her brother-in-law, the king.

During the speech, Charles expressed his ‘gratitude’ for Sophie’s work on the ground, aiding the people who are fighting tropical diseases. 

Sophie also visited Parity for Disability on Wednesday, where she met and shook hands with students

Sophie also visited Parity for Disability on Wednesday, where she met and shook hands with students

A model of Buckingham Palace made of pasta during a visit by Sophie, Duchess Of Edinburgh to Parity for Disability

A model of Buckingham Palace made of pasta during a visit by Sophie, Duchess Of Edinburgh to Parity for Disability

Celebrating the two nations’ achievements on health, Sophie acknowledged the work done to eliminate trachoma, an infectious and blinding disease that has been rife in Tanzania.

The message read: ‘As patron of one of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness’s members, Sightsavers, and knowing that the Duchess of Edinburgh is with you today in Tanzania, I particularly wanted you all to know how full of admiration and gratitude I am for your passion and devoted efforts in treating and preventing neglected tropical diseases, especially trachoma.

‘Your constant dedication and hard work will lead us to a world where inclusion and equality can be realised across our Commonwealth.

‘I send you all my warmest good wishes and heartfelt encouragement for the much-needed success of your gathering.’