The Countess of Wessex looked elegant in a green polkadot dress as she became the first member of the royal family to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo today.
Sophie, who is married to King Charles’ brother Prince Edward, is carrying out an official visit to the African country at the request of the Foreign Office.
The Palace said on Monday that the countess’s visit will focus on addressing the devastating impact of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, while supporting and empowering survivors and tackling the stigma they face.
In photographs released from the visit today, the mother-of-two could be seen in a glamorous green dress as she arrived in the country alongside Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister’s special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict.
The Countess of Wessex, 57, looked elegant in a green dress as she became the first member of the royal family to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo today
Sophie, who is married to King Charles’ brother Prince Edward, is carrying out an official visit to the African country at the request of the Foreign Office
Security will be tight for Sophie’s visit, which had been planned for many months before the death of the Queen.
During the first day of her trip, she attended a meeting in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, with representatives from TRIAL International.
It is a non-governmental organization which is dedicated to fighting impunity for international crimes in conflict, as well as providing legal support to survivors of conflict related violence and human rights violations as they seek justice
In its recent history, the DRC has endured years of civil conflict in what has been called Africa’s world war, with the loss of up to six million lives through fighting or disease and malnutrition.
During the first day of her trip, she attended a meeting in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, with representatives from TRIAL International
Sophie’s visit is taking place in the run-up to the International Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference in London next month, which is being hosted by the UK Government and which the countess will attend
Sophie, who publicly committed herself to supporting the UK’s work helping victims of rape, sexual violence and exploitation in war in 2019, attending a meeting during her visit
A peace agreement was signed in 2002 but violence continued in some areas, requiring a large United Nations military force to try to maintain order.
This August, Africa’s second largest country faced rising regional tensions in the east, with weeks of deadly protests against UN peacekeepers.
Sophie’s visit is taking place in the run-up to the International Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference in London next month, which is being hosted by the UK Government and which the countess will attend.
She publicly committed herself to supporting the UK’s work helping victims of rape, sexual violence and exploitation in war in 2019.
The Countess met with a non-governmental organization which is dedicated to fighting impunity for international crimes in conflict, as well as providing legal support to survivors of conflict related violence and human rights violations as they seek justice
Sophie said last year that hearing survivors’ stories of sexual violence has taken her to ‘some very dark places’ during her work to raise awareness
Sophie said last year that hearing survivors’ stories of sexual violence has taken her to ‘some very dark places’ during her work to raise awareness.
‘Every story I am told is pushing me forward. I feel obligated to tell people this is happening – it is their story to tell and I support them,’ she added.
Elsewhere, she opted for a vibrant red gown as she received gifts from representatives from the Pole Pole Foundation during her visit.
She appeared deeply touched as she met with representatives from the Pole Pole Foundation, who gave Her Royal Highness a Congolese name, Umoja Mama Louise,
It is not the first royal engagement Sophie has taken part in since her mother-in-law’s death last month
The Countess donned army attire as she visited the home of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at MOD Lyneham, in Wiltshire last week.
The Countess of Wessex met with the Governor of South Kivu Theo Ngwabije, at the Governor’s Office in Bukavu in South Kivu Province
The Countess chatted with the Governor in his office in South Kivu Province earlier this afternoon
Mother-of-two Sophie was visiting for the first time since she received her honorary title as Colonel-in-Chief in March this year, the role previously held for over 50 years by The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen’s daughter-in-law looked the part in a camouflage jacket and khaki jeans which she paired with chunky boots.
The Royal, who had a close bond with the late monarch, referred to her as ‘Mama.’
Sophie works tirelessly as patron of more than 70 charities and organisations and has been praised for her dedication to duty within the royal family.
The Countess of Wessex receives gifts from representatives from the Pole Pole Foundation during a visit to Bukavu, South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Countess appeared deeply touched as she met with presentatives from the Pole Pole Foundation, who gave Her Royal Highness a Congolese name, Umoja Mama Louise
During the visit, Sophie heard about the Pole Pole Foundation’s conservation work, which not only protects the gorillas of the Kahuzi Biega National Park from poachers, but supports local communities by giving them the skills for alternative, nonexploitative livelihoods
Elsewhere, she chatted to a young mother about her baby during her visit to the country today (pictured)
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