Royal Family makes main announcement as member leaves nation after two days
The Duchess of Edinburgh has completed a two-day tour in Somalia and travelled to Kenya for another royal visit, hours after Prince Edward pulled out of an engagement due to a cold
Duchess Sophie, right, left Somalia after two days
Duchess Sophie has revealed a major announcement regarding her upcoming plans, just hours following her husband’s most recent health update. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duchess of Edinburgh has finished a two-day visit to Somalia and has now journeyed to Kenya for another official trip.
This came hours after Prince Edward withdrew from an engagement with King Charles and other members of the royal family due to a cold. On Tuesday, the King awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education to 19 universities and colleges in acknowledgement of their exceptional work.
He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
However, Edward, who was initially scheduled to attend the ceremony, was notably absent.
It is understood that the Duke has been taking things steady after developing a cold and chose to miss the event, reports the Express.
Meanwhile, Sophie travelled to Somalia at the invitation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to highlight the continuing problem of conflict-related sexual violence in the area and amplify the voices of survivors.
Throughout a series of engagements on Monday and Tuesday, the Duchess met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his first daughter, Jihan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, before encountering survivors of conflict-related sexual violence carried out by the terrorist organisation al-Shabaab. She also toured a Somali village to encounter the spouses of Somali troops who outlined the threats presented by al-Shabaab and the difficulties they encounter whilst their husbands battle for a more secure and stable Somalia.
Her activities also encompassed a trip to a hospital in central Mogadishu, where the Duchess encountered survivors who discussed the consequences of female genital mutilation, rape and sexual assault on Somali women, and the significance of accessing essential services.
Sophie learnt about the effects of a UK-backed sexual and reproductive health service programme running across 39 health facilities in the nation.
The duchess, an advocate for the UN’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda, has concentrated her charitable efforts on highlighting awareness of the destruction caused by conflict-related sexual violence.
Her journey concentrated on the “vital role women play in peacebuilding, strengthening community resilience and supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence”.
Somalia has endured over 30 years of conflicts, including an Islamist insurgency and a civil war.
The duchess proceeded to travel to Kenya on Tuesday for a two-day visit to celebrate Kenyan women leaders and acknowledge the role women play in preventing and resolving conflicts.
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