Duchess Sophie sparks concerns with mysterious absence from important event

Duchess Sophie, who has become a real power behind the throne, left fans concerned about her mysterious absence from Wednesday's lavish event.

Royal fans have raised questions after spotting the absence of the Duchess of Edinburgh from the banquet with the Japanese Emperor at the Guildhall, which was held by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation.

Buckingham Palace had originally said that both Sophie and her husband Edward, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, would join the Emperor of Japan for a Banquet at the Guildhall on June 26. But, only Prince Edward, 60, was in attendance to represent the British Royal Family.

Aides have not released an official statement explaining her absence at the event - especially as she was on the original guest list. However, the surprising move forced the royal fans to turn to social media to know about the Duchess Sophie's whereabouts.

One fan wrote: "What happened to the Royal Ladies? I'm sure Sophie and the Empress were scheduled to attend? Last year the Duke & Duchess of Gloucester and the South Korean First Lady attended this event..."

Another reacted: "The Duke of Edinburgh has arrived without his Duchess for the Guildhall Banquet with the Emperor of Japan tonight. Empress Masako was not on the palace's list of expected attendees at the dinner, but Sophie was."

Few other fans also expressed concerns and asked the reason of the much-loved royal's absence from the event.

It comes after the mother Laday Louise Windsor dazzled at the Buckingham Palace state banquet on Tuesday night, wearing an emerald green gown by Suzannah London with breathtaking jewels from the royal vaults. For the first time, she wore the Lotus Flower Tiara, a headpiece previously worn by Kate Middleton and Princess Margaret.

Sophie, according to the Court Circular, attended the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' Festival of Sport at The Prince Philip Barrack in Chippenham, Wiltshire in her role as Colonel-in-Chief.