Duchess of Edinburgh films rare video inside Lady Louise and James's childhood home

In a video shared on the charity's official Instagram account, filmed inside Bagshot Park, Sophie thanked the public for their support whilst emphasising that more action is needed.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have lived in the Surrey property since their 1999 wedding.

The wife of Prince Edward used the opportunity to highlight the importance of creating a society where autistic people are properly supported and understood.

Her message comes as part of the annual awareness month, which aims to increase acceptance and understanding of autism throughout society.

"April is when we celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month. This is an opportunity for everyone to come together, to raise awareness and increase acceptance of autism, helping to create a society where autistic people are supported, understood and empowered," the Duchess said in her statement.

She emphasised that the positive impact created during April should not be limited to just one month.

We’re delighted to mark the start of #WorldAutismAcceptanceMonth with a message from our Royal Patron, The Duchess of Edinburgh. 💜 pic.twitter.com/Eq9p5zkbdg

— National Autistic Society (@Autism) April 1, 2025

The mother of Louise, 21, and James, 17, implored that support for autistic people persists beyond the awareness month and is "not confined to just one moment in time."

Her message underscores the importance of sustained efforts to improve understanding and acceptance of autism throughout the year.

Sophie continued her statement by highlighting specific areas requiring improvement: "Awareness of autism is increasing, but there is still so much more to do to ensure autistic people receive the right support across all aspects of their lives, including education, employment, diagnosis and mental health."

Her comments reflect growing recognition that autistic individuals face significant challenges in accessing appropriate support services.

The Duchess's call for action emphasises the need for systemic improvements across multiple sectors.

By identifying these key areas, she draws attention to the comprehensive approach needed to create meaningful change for autistic people throughout the UK.

Her advocacy demonstrates the Royal Family's commitment to addressing issues affecting vulnerable communities.

In her concluding remarks, the Duchess stated: "World Autism Acceptance Month encourages us to celebrate autistic adults and children, and find out more about the steps we can all take to create a more inclusive and accepting world."

She also thanked the public for their "continued interest and support" in this important cause.

Over the years, Sophie has demonstrated a commitment to various charitable causes, particularly those supporting the visually impaired.

This focus followed the birth of her daughter Lady Louise Windsor in 2003, who was born with esotropia, a condition causing a squint in one eye.

Lady Louise underwent two surgeries, with the second successfully correcting her eyesight when she was 10 years old.