Buckingham Palace finally confirms Duchess Sophie visited US after Meghan, Harry's announcement

Buckingham Palace has finally confirmed Duchess Sophie’s secret visit to United States after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their trip to Australia.

According to a report by the Hello! Magazine, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, made a quiet visit to the United States earlier this week.

Prince Edward's wife made the solo trip to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Later, the palace confirmed in its official Court Circular, “11 March 2026, St. James's Palace: The Duchess of Edinburgh this afternoon departed from Heathrow Airport, London, for the United States of America and this evening arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York. Mr. Alexander Stonor is in attendance.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations describes the Commission on the Status of Women as "the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women."

It works to promote the rights of women and girls, chronicle the reality of their lives around the world and shape global standards on gender equity and female empowerment.

Sophie previously attended the Commission in March 2025, traveling to a United Nations event in New York.

The palace had also shared photos at the time on social media, saying “This week, The Duchess of Edinburgh was in New York to attend the UN’s 69th Commission on the Status of Women. @UKUN

“The Duchess attended the meeting - the largest globally on gender equality - as Global Ambassador of @IAPB and a Champion of the UN’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.”

In the keynote address at a UN Friends of Vision group meeting, Sophie had highlighted the important connection between eye health and gender equality.

Sophie’s this visit to US comes days after Meghan and Harry announced they will travel to Australia next month.