Duchess of Edinburgh visit Baghdad

The Duchess of Edinburgh has visited Baghdad as part of her work to support survivors of sexual violence.

Buckingham Palace revealed that the Duchess spent two days in the capital of Iraq to learn more about the challenges the women face there. She also visited a girls’ school to learn more about their education. Another engagement included a visit to a family planning centre to hear about how they support the reproductive health and well-being of Iraqi women.

After this, Sophie had a meeting with President Abdul Latif Rashid and prime minister Mohammad Shia Al Sudani, and she passed along a message from her brother-in-law, King Charles III.

She was also praised for being the first member of the British Royal Family to visit Baghdad by the British Ambassador Mark Bryson-Richardson, who was with her for most of the trip. Other members of the British Royal Family have visited different parts of the country.

Sophie announced her mission to support the UN’s women, peace and security agenda back in 2019. During her visit to Baghdad, she gave a speech at the annual Women’s Voices First Conference.

The visit to Baghdad had been kept secret for security reasons, but the visit was made at the request of the Foreign Office.