Royal time flies, which is why it feels like it was only yesterday that Kate Middleton joined the BBC’s CBeebies Bedtime Stories (it was actually February 2022) to honor Children’s Mental Health Week in the U.K. and read one of her favorite kid’s books aloud. Now, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, will follow in the Princess of Wales’s footsteps, also for a special cause: On October 10, she’ll read a bedtime story on the popular children’s bedtime program, marking a rare TV appearance, but one that aligns closely with her royal work.
Duchess Sophie to Follow in Kate’s Footsteps with Surprise TV Appearance on Thursday
It’s for a good cause
Published Oct 7, 2024
•2:56pm
Pool/Getty Images
BBC/Guy Levy
A trailer—which is unavailable to watch stateside—teasing Sophie’s upcoming appearance shares more details on her participation and the cause that led her to join: Thursday, October 10, marks World Sight Day. After Sophie’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, was born with esotropia, a condition where one or both eyes point inward, Sophie became a passionate advocate for the sight loss community. Reading a book aloud on this program is just another way for the Duchess of Edinburgh to shine a bigger spotlight on the cause.
The trailer explains her mission succinctly: “Millions of us need glasses to see the world clearly. World Sight Day is a reminder to all of us to take care of our eyes, whether we need glasses or not.”
As for what book she’ll choose? The teaser shares that, too. The book is called Specs for Rex by Yasmeen Ismail, which is all about a little lion who worries about wearing new glasses before learning how much they improved his daily life. (#TBT to when Kate stopped by the program: The Princess of Wales read The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson, which is one she loved reading aloud to her own children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.)
Did Sophie dial Kate for pointers ahead of appearing? We’re curious—and we also can’t wait to tune in.
