Duchess of Edinburgh jets to Ethiopia for poignant Royal Family engagement

Sophie will stay in Ethiopia for the next few days to see through World Sight Day, which is occurring on Thursday, October 12.

Later this week, the duchess will visit a rural health clinic and hospital where sight-saving medical screenings and surgeries are carried out daily, with support from Orbis.

The charity is committed to eliminating trachoma - the infectious and blinding eye disease in Ethiopia.

This organisation is personal to Sophie, as her daughter Lady Louise Windsor was born with a rare eye condition called esotropia, which caused one eye to turn inwards.

The now 19-year-old royal's eye condition led Sophie to research blindness, which explains why she is currently the Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

Her Royal Highness will look at Ethiopia's sustainable approach to eye health, and meet specialists, case workers, and government representatives to discuss the industry.

The duchess will also meet patients whose sight has been restored, and visit a school where children are learning how to protect themselves from trachoma through face washing and good hygiene practices.

Sophie will make numerous visits to celebrate the progress made to rid Ethiopia of trachoma.

The Duchess of Edinburgh will additionally attend a conference where delegates from the government and the health and charitable sectors will have the opportunity to speak.

The experts will exchange insights and chart the way forward to eliminating the disease forever.

Earlier this week, Sophie travelled north to Tigray at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

There, she saw the work of UNICEF in response to the devastating impact of conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence.

The duchess has championed the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative for many years.