Duchess Sophie has quickly emerged as one of the Royal Family’s most active figures so far in 2026.

Highlighting her packed schedule, King Charles III’s office shared a new video of the Duchess of Edinburgh on the official Royal Family social media accounts on Tuesday, January 13. The footage, originally posted by England Hockey, captured moments from Sophie’s visit to the Bisham Abbey National Sport Centre the day before.

“England and Great Britain Hockey were honoured to welcome HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh to Bisham Abbey National Sport Centre yesterday,” the caption read. Sophie has served as a patron of England Hockey since 2006.

The video showed highlights from the visit, including the Duchess stepping onto the pitch and trying her hand at hockey. She was also seen touring an indoor gym facility, where she chatted with staff and gym members during the stop.

Additionally, the Royal Family’s social media also posted a photo collage of the visit with the caption, “Yesterday, The Duchess of Edinburgh visited @englandhockey to meet members of the Senior Men’s and Women’s squads.”

The outing marked Sophie’s second official engagement of the year. Just four days earlier, she visited The Lighthouse charity in Woking. During that visit, Prince Edward’s wife helped staff pack and prepare for the charity’s relocation and also toured the new site.

Princess Anne stepped out on January 8 as one of the first senior royals back in action for 2026. 

She made her way to Oxford as Honorary President of the Oxford Farming Conference that’s become something of a winter tradition for the palace’s most indefatigable royal.

Rather than riding in on pomp and ceremony, Anne joined a gathering that’s all about the nitty‑gritty of British agriculture farmers, industry leaders and policy thinkers unpacking the future of food, sustainability and rural life. 

The conference itself was held in the historic Examination Schools in Oxford’s city centre.

Sources close to the event say she took part in lively discussions, listened to speakers debating topics from land stewardship to innovation, and rubbed shoulders with delegates long enough for hands‑on conversation outside the usual royal photo ops. 

As Honorary President, Anne has been a fixture at Oxford’s farming circle for years, championing a sector that relies on resilience and innovation as much as tradition. 

One delegate told FarmingUK that her comments at past conferences has inspired producers trying to balance economic pressure and environmental stewardship.

The Princess has reminded the public that beyond hard work, she also has a razor sharp sense of humour. 

A video from an official engagement at the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre went viral recently, showing the 75-year-old cracking jokes while marking the 35th anniversary of the London based equine charity.

Addressing reporters before cutting the celebratory cake, Anne quipped: “I hope you all had a chance to see this cake because it really is stunning. 

The instructions are that you will eat it if I cut it. Otherwise, it’s just legalised vandalism. So, enjoy the cake!”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and social media users were quick to shower praise. 

“I adore her,” wrote one, while another noted she is “dry like her father, cheeky like her mother.” 

Anne, who serves as Vice Patron of the British Horse Society, toured the centre alongside actor and BHS President Martin Clunes and chief executive James Hick, meeting volunteers who support equine therapy for children with physical disabilities. 

She carried her own umbrella, proving that practicality goes hand-in-hand with her good humour.

The visit was particularly poignant, coming just three days after her brother, King Charles, publicly shared his cancer diagnosis. 

The Sindh government has announced a public holiday for educational institutions across the province on the occasion of Shab-e-Meraj, according to a notification issued on Tuesday.

The notification said both government and private educational institutions in Sindh will remain closed on January 17.

Muslims every year on the 27th of Rajab (Lunar calendar) observe the Shab-e-Meraj to mark the Isra (journey) and Meraj (ascension) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who was taken on a special journey to meet Allah Almighty, crossing seven skies on the heavenly animal named ‘al-Buraq’.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) continued his heavenly tour until he reached very close to the Throne of Allah Almighty and attained the utmost nearness to Him. After having drunk from the Divine fountain of spiritual knowledge, he came down to impart the knowledge to mankind.

On that Night of Ascent, Allah Almighty also gave the order of the five daily Salat (Prayers) as being mandatory for the Muslims.

Faithful would gather at mosques after Isha to offer special prayers that would continue till Fajr prayer, while different gatherings and Mahafil-e-Naat are being arranged to mark the holy night.

The houses, streets and especially mosques are decorated with colourful pennants and buntings, whereas at night these are well illuminated using electric lights, candles or even oil lamps.

Besides, people visit the graves of their near and dear ones, seeking Allah Almighty’s blessings for the departed souls. 

Schools and workplaces are typically closed to observe the holiday.