The Duchess of Edinburgh has opened up on her life as a working royal and the incredible women she meets in a rare interview.
Sophie is a patron of more than 70 charities and organisations. She works with various eye care charities across the UK, meeting with blind and partially sighted people to help provide support.
The royal was speaking on British Blind Sport’s Golden Legacy Podcast with Alaina MacGregor, where she highlighted the important work she does.
She said: “My role, as with all members of the family, is to primarily support the King and the monarchy.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has given a rare interview
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“That is one side of the focus. But also, we’re lucky enough to be able to fulfil our passions and our interests and these over my time as a member of the Royal Family have developed.
“One of the things I’m doing now is on women’s peace and security in the world.
“We have the most incredible women who work within communities at all levels of society, and they are often at the frontline of ensuring that peace is secure, that their communities are looked after, and also we try to get them around the peacekeeping tables as much as possible.
“Aside from that, also the very sad problem the world is dealing with, the issue of conflict-related sexual violence.”
Sophie has recently completed trips to Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and her latest trip saw her head to Kenya and Somalia last week at the request of the Foreign Office.
She continued: “So I spend quite a lot of time going to difficult countries, trying to highlight the work that is going on there, some of the problems they are facing and also trying to highlight some of the good practice that exists out there.
Sophie has made strides as a patron for various charities around the world
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“Also, global blindness, the world of disability, and food security as well.”
The interview comes just days after Sophie made her first solo trip to Northern Ireland in eight years.
Sophie officially opened the National Autistic Society NI centre in Randalstown, where she spent time with families who shared how the dedicated space would benefit their loved ones.
During her single-day engagement, Sophie encountered 15-year-old autism advocate Angel Dusauzay, who has penned three books supporting neurodivergent children.
Following her autism centre visit, the duchess attended a graduation ceremony for participants in a Women in Leadership Programme at Randalstown Library.
The initiative, established by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, launched in September 2024 in partnership with Impact Network NI and Utopian Learning.
The Duchess of Edinburgh made her first solo trip to Northern Ireland in eight years earlier this week
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Mayor Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick described welcoming Sophie as “an honour,” adding: “I am immensely proud of this programme and of every woman who has completed it.
“Their success represents progress, possibility, and a strong future for leadership across our Borough.”