The Duchess of Edinburgh has been praised for setting a “gold standard” in royal duty after completing a five-day solo tour of Zambia while the Royal Family faced renewed attention surrounding the Sussexes and the publication of Earl Spencer’s book, Swan Song.
Sophie, who worked as a PR executive before marrying Prince Edward, has built a reputation for carrying out demanding engagements with warmth, energy and little apparent fuss.
Her visit to Zambia combined work on sight loss and women’s rights with more adventurous moments, including a camping expedition during which she encountered a potentially deadly hippopotamus. On a boat safari, she laughed and pointed after seeing elephants on a riverbank.
Rebecca English, the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor, said the Duchess had developed an unusually effective balance between personal warmth and diplomatic purpose.
“Over the years Sophie has quietly set about cultivating a group of charitable patronages that she feels strongly about and, as a result, her personal passion shines through,” she said.
The Duchess supports survivors of rape and sexual assault used as a weapon of war, as well as efforts to prevent blindness. Her interest in sight loss was influenced by her daughter, Lady Louise, who underwent surgery as a child for esotropia, a condition in which the eyes do not look in the same direction.
English said Sophie’s official travels had also made her a passionate advocate against sexual violence. “I’ve seen her give a seven-minute off-the-cuff speech on the issue, without any notes on the subject. She was seriously impressive,” she said.
Her approach was praised by Alisa Anderson-Cole, a former aide to the late Queen who worked with Sophie earlier in her career.
“While all the drama is going on over the arrival in the UK by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the explosive publication of Earl Spencer’s new book, the Duchess of Edinburgh is putting duty before self, representing the UK on a solo visit to Zambia,” she said.
Even a practical setback during the trip failed to disrupt the Duchess’s programme. Her luggage did not arrive, but she continued with engagements in her travel clothes and treated the mishap with good humour.
Anderson-Cole said Sophie was “steadfast and unwavering” in supporting charities close to her heart. She also praised the Duchess for dancing with local women treated for serious eye conditions while promoting gender equality, education and nature.
“She is not afraid to show her fun side while promoting incredibly important issues,” Anderson-Cole said. “Once again she has proved what a huge asset she is to the King and the monarchy.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s growing role
As the future of the monarchy becomes more prominent, Sophie is increasingly regarded as one of its most dependable figures. Her duties range from local engagements to charity galas attended by heads of state, with a willingness to undertake both the routine and the prestigious parts of royal life.
English said friends valued the Duchess’s loyalty and described her as “seriously practical”. On one occasion, she said, Sophie was able to fix a friend’s new oven within minutes after taking the instructions.
Her marriage to Edward, which has lasted more than 25 years, is seen as another source of stability. The couple have two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, and have maintained a grounded family life while continuing as working members of the Royal Family.
Sophie has also appeared increasingly alongside the Princess of Wales at royal engagements, with the pair said to be comfortable in each other’s company.
English said the King viewed his sister-in-law as “a safe pair of hands”, adding that her closeness with the Princess of Wales could strengthen the family in the years ahead.
The Duchess and Edward faced public criticism in the early days of their marriage over their business activities. They subsequently ended their commercial careers and devoted themselves to royal duties, a change English described as “admirable and pretty faultless”.
With the monarchy entering its next chapter, Sophie’s influence appears to have grown not through seeking attention but through consistently demonstrating that she can be trusted.
