Duchess of Edinburgh undertakes diplomatic mission after Remembrance Sunday tribute
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has flown to Bangladesh just hours after joining the Royal Family to honour Britain's fallen servicemen and women.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has flown to Bangladesh just hours after joining the Royal Family to honour Britain's fallen servicemen and women.
The 61-year-old royal departed Heathrow Airport on Sunday (08.11.26), accompanied by three members of staff, according to the Court Circular published in The Times.
Earlier that day, Sophie attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.
She watched the ceremony from a balcony overlooking Whitehall alongside the Duke of Kent and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, husband of the Princess Royal.
The Duchess wore a black coat decorated with three red poppies and a badge representing the Royal Irish Regiment, of which she is Colonel-in-Chief.
Her husband, Prince Edward, joined King Charles and other senior royals in laying wreaths to honour those killed in military service.
Sophie is undertaking a three-day visit to Bangladesh from Monday (09.11.26) until Wednesday (11.11.26) at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The trip will focus on strengthening relations between Britain and Bangladesh, with particular attention given to women's empowerment and humanitarian support.
In Dhaka, the Duchess is scheduled to meet Bangladesh's President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
She will also visit the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training to learn about the country's contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Another engagement will take Sophie to the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan, where she will meet young athletes, including female hockey players.
The royal will also join celebrations marking 75 years of the British Council in Bangladesh.
During a visit to Cox's Bazar, Sophie will meet organisations supporting Rohingya refugees, particularly displaced women, children and families.
She is expected to learn about programmes providing protection, rehabilitation and opportunities for women within refugee communities.
The visit marks Sophie's return to Bangladesh after previously travelling to the country in 2017, when she was known as the Countess of Wessex.
