The Duchess of Edinburgh put her skills to the test by polishing gemstones at a family-run jewellery business in Zambia on the second day of her tour.
Sophie, 61, took part in a creative workshop at Jewel of Africa in Lusaka, the Zambian capital. Founded in 1992, the bespoke jeweller works with ethically sourced local gemstones and Zambian craftsmanship.
During the visit, the Duchess shaped and polished a quartz gemstone herself, while closely following the detailed creative process behind the finished pieces.
She also heard about the company’s focus on sustainability, including its direct sourcing from Zambian mines and commitment to responsible supply chains.
Later, Sophie visited Imvelo Studios in Lusaka, where she met artists and survivors of gender-based violence using creative expression as a route to healing and empowerment.
The Duchess, who has long sought to spotlight violence against women worldwide, also spoke with leading Zambian businesswomen about resilience and empowering future generations.
Sophie looked effortlessly elegant in Soler London’s colourful ‘California’ Maxi Dress, paired with Penelope Chilvers espadrilles and gold-plated bronze earrings by Giulia Barela.
In what appeared to be a heartfelt tribute to Zambia, she also wore her much-loved Africa Ring by Giulia Barela with a Gold T-Bar chain necklace from Tilly Sveaas.
The Duchess of Edinburgh tried polishing gemstones at a family-run jewellery business in Zambia during the second day of her tour.
Sophie, 61, joined a creative workshop at Jewel of Africa in Lusaka, a bespoke jewellery business offering ethically sourced Zambian gemstones.
Later that day, Sophie met with talented artists and survivors of gender-based violence who are looking to use creative expression as a means of empowerment and healing
It marks Sophie’s second day of her five-day visit in Zambia – which will see the duchess undergo a number of key engagements to highlight interests ranging from gender equality to climate change and education.
While in the region, Sophie will also undertake engagements with charities Orbis and Sightsavers, including a visit to a health clinic in Mukuni Village, which is running a successful trachoma elimination programme.
On Monday, Sophie attended a reception hosted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Orbis and was a vision in green as she stepped out in ARossGirl x Soler Brooke’s ‘Brooke’ Dress in a lime shade.
Adding a pop of colour to the look, the fashionable royal opted for a purple belt from Penelope Chilvers and a pair of matching green earrings to tie the striking look together.
Sophie’s choice of green was also particularly fitting given that green is the primary colour of the Zambian flag.
The reception comes ahead of the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health this November in Antigua, which is working towards an end of avoidable sight loss by 2030.
Sophie, who is a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and an avid sight loss campaigner, is strongly committed towards tackling avoidable blindness in light of her personal connection to the issue.
Her and Prince Edward’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, 22, was born with a condition called strabismus, which left her with what Sophie described as a ‘profound’ squint.
She has since had the problem corrected and can now see properly.
Sophie told the Sunday Express in 2015: ‘Premature babies can often have squints because the eyes are the last thing in the baby package to really be finalised.
‘Her squint was quite profound when she was tiny, and it takes time to correct it. You’ve got to make sure one eye doesn’t become more dominant than the other but she’s fine now – her eyesight is perfect.’
The duchess, who is committed to drawing attention to violence against women, also spoke with a group of prominent female business leaders in Zambia about their views on resilience
During her six-day visit to Zambia, Sophie will carry out several engagements which will highlight interests ranging from gender equality to climate change and education
On Monday, Sophie attended a reception hosted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Orbis
Sophie, seen here with Dr George Sinyangwe, wore a dress by ARossGirl x Soler Brooke in green – an apt choice given that green is the primary colour of the Zambian flag
Sophie is also a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and an avid sight loss campaigner, following her own daughter’s eyesight issues as a baby
Sophie’s trip, which will run until Friday, September 18, will see the duchess travel from Lusaka to the Lower Zambezi and Livingstone.
The mother-of-two is set to visit Community House to meet with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, while in Livingstone, Sophie will pay a visit to Victoria Falls, in Mosi-oa Tunya National Park, one of the seven wonders of the natural world. There, she will lay a flower at a First World War memorial.
Her visit comes at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
It comes after the duchess attended the Cornbury House Horse Trials over the weekend alongside Zara Tindall and Princess Beatrice.
Beaming Zara and Sophie warmly embraced one another while posing for a photo, with the daughter of Princess Anne cutting a casual figure in blue jeans from Citizens of Humanity and a cross-body bag from Fairfax and Favor which retails at £295.
Sophie, a dedicated equestrian fan, showcased her effortless style with a Soler London jacket and skirt, which she paired with boots from Penelope Chilvers and earrings from Giulia Barela.
Her niece Beatrice, 38, who has kept a relatively low profile amid the ongoing fallout over Andrew and Sarah’s controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein – opted for an Ulla Johnson green lace dress and BYAN’s velvet green Philip Cleak Blazer for the sporting action.
The royal styled her outfit with Givenchy boots and small hoop earrings, while her husband Edo looked dapper in a blue shirt and waistcoat which he paired with light green trousers and a baker boy cap.