Duchess Sophie has quietly embarked on a major royal tour across South and Central America just a day after Prince William returned from Brazil.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday, November 10, that the Duchess of Edinburgh will spend the next 10 days making her inaugural visits across the region.
At the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Sophie will visit Peru, Panama and Guatemala before concluding her trip in Belize as part of the Royal Family’s ongoing Commonwealth engagements.
Her itinerary, running until November 19, focuses on issues close to her heart — environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, and the fight against human trafficking.
In Peru, Sophie is expected to travel deep into the Amazon rainforest to meet Indigenous leaders and women spearheading local conservation and economic projects. She’ll also visit the Divino Niño vision centre as part of her role as Global Ambassador for The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. The facility treats glaucoma and other eye conditions, and the Duchess will learn more about their outreach in rural communities.
Her stop in Panama includes meetings with senior government officials to highlight Britain’s collaboration with the nation on tackling conflict-related sexual violence.
In Guatemala, she will observe organisations aiding survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse, as well as youth-focused charities in high-risk areas.
The Duchess will wrap up her tour in Belize, where she’ll join Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations honouring the country’s cultural heritage. She’ll also explore marine conservation projects and visit the British Army’s jungle training unit.
Sophie’s diplomatic mission comes just one day after Prince William’s return from Brazil, where he attended the 5th annual Earthshot Prize Awards and delivered a powerful speech for COP30 in Belém. The beloved aunt-nephew duo reunited as they joined the Royal Family in commemorating Remembrance Sunday.
Sophie has had a busy past week, having attended a Defence Medical Welfare Service reception at Edinburgh Castle on November 3.
Two days later, she also attended the annual Duchess of Edinburgh Competition atRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst in Camberley.