Compassionate Countess of Wessex pictured with premature babies in Malawi

Sophie Wessex looked pensive as she visited a neonatal unit at a hospital in Malawi to meet premature babies during her solo royal tour.

The Countess and mother-of-two, 57, wore an orange blouse with bell sleeves from Soler and white jeans as she leant over incubators at Kamuzu Hospital in Lilongwe and met with the infants. 

Staff gathered to greet the royal as she wandered the wards of Kamuzu Hospital, stopping to say hello to small children who are patients and chatting with doctors about the facility. 

She was seen clasping her hands together as she met young patients on the pediatric unit, and also took a trip to the Kangaroo maternity department to speak with expectant mothers.

The Countess bent down to see a child who is being treated for an illness at the Ethel Mutharika Neonatal unit at the hospital

Sweet display of affection: The Countess of Wessex clasps her hands together as she meets patients at the pediatric treatment room 

Sophie met, mothers and their babies on the Kangaroo Ward in the Maternity Department at the hospital

The mother of two cut a cool figure, wearing a salmon-colored blouse and white trousers.

Once again the thrifty mother-of-two decided to don a recycled piece for her trip, as she was seen wearing the summery blouse at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.  

Her hair was pulled back into a low pony and she paired her trousers with practical white strappy sandals. 

Yesterday she was also wearing another piece from the games back in August, a £157 maxi-dress from brand ME+EM while visiting eye surgery patients in a Malawian village to celebrate World Sight Day. 

The Countess is pictured speaking to an expectant mother in the maternity unit at the hospital, as she lies in bed on the ward

Members of clinical staff wait to meet the Countess of Wessex as she visits the Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe

The compassionate countess looks down as she meets a tiny premature baby on the neonatal unit

Medical staff at the hospital take the royal on a tour of the neonatal unit where she meets many babies needing treatment 

A mother smiles as she props her young child on her lap, they are greeted by a smiling Countess of Wessex

The mother of two looked cool and casual in a patterned blouse and white trousers, as she went from ward to ward 

The Countess of Wessex meets medical staff and patients in the pediatric treatment room during a visit to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe

Sophie smiles warmly as she meets medical staff upon arriving at the Malawian maternity hospital 

This week Prince Edward’s wife has been travelling around Malawi and attended the reception at the Sunbird Waterfront Hotel to celebrate the country’s success in eliminating the infectious disease trachoma, which is known to cause blindness.

Sophie is visiting Malawi in her role as a global ambassador for the IAPB, and as former vice patron of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

Earlier this week, the royal was in Ethiopia, and was pictured looking pensive as she flipped through a book of condolence for the beloved Queen while in the country.

In one photo she appeared to be reading a message from an ambassador, Victor Adeleke, seemingly penned on September 12 – just a few days after the Queen’s passing.

In his note, he penned: ‘The world will surely miss you! Mama to His Majesty King Charles.

‘On behalf of all members of the Embassy of Nigeria, here in Addis, we say journey well to your Lord. Rest in perfect peace.’