Sophie, the jeweller! Duchess of Edinburgh tries her hand at polishing gemstones as she visits local family business on five-day tour of Zambia
The Duchess of Edinburgh tried her hand at polishing gemstones at a local family jewellery business in Zambia today for the second day of her tour.
Sophie, 61, attended a creative workshop in Lusaka, the nation’s capital, at Jewel of Africa, a bespoke jewellery business founded in 1992 which provides ethically sourced Zambian gemstones through local craftsmanship.
During her visit, Sophie tried her hand at shaping and polishing a quartz gemstone herself and diligently observed the creative process that goes into making the gemstones.
The duchess also learnt about the business’s intrinsic emphasis on sustainability, direct sourcing from Zambian mines and responsible supply chains.
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 at Lusaka’s Imvelo Studios.
The duchess, who is committed to drawing attention to violence against women across the globe, also spoke with a group of prominent Zambian women business leaders about their views on resilience and the empowerment of future generations.
Sophie looked effortlessly elegant in Soler London’s colourful ‘California’ Maxi Dress which she paired with Penelope Chilvers espadrilles and gold-plated bronze earrings from Giulia Barela.
In a loving tribute to the people of Zambia, the Duchess was also seen wearing her beloved Africa Ring from Giulia Barela alongside Tilly Sveaas’s Gold T-Bar chain necklace.
The Duchess of Edinburgh tried her hand at polishing gemstones at a local family jewellery business in Zambia today for the second day of her tour
Sophie, 61, attended a creative workshop in the nation’s capital, at Jewel of Africa, a bespoke jewellery business that provides 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
It marks Sophie’s second day of her six-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
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
Sophie’s choice of green was also particularly fitting given that green is the primary colour of the Zambian flag (pictured, the Duchess and Permanent Secretary, Donor Relations, Dr George Sinyangwe)
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
Sophie’s trip, which will run until Friday, September 18, will see the Duchess travel from Lusaka to the Lower Zambezi and Livingstone.
The royal 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, Mosi-oa Tunya, 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.
