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Sophie Wessex showed off her fashion credentials last night as she arrived in Ethiopia for the next leg of her Africa tour.
On her first appearance in the country, the 57-year-old Countess met President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa.
The mum of two looked quintessentially stylish in a white blazer paired with a pink patterned skirt as she chatted with Sahle-Work.
She had spent the last few days in Malawi, where she gave a speech in which she said how “proud” her late mother-in-law was the Queen of the Commonwealth.
Sophie Wessex showed off her fashion credentials last night as she arrived in Ethiopia for the next leg of her Africa tour
On her first appearance in the country, the 57-year-old Countess met the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa
During her last performance in Malawi, Sophie looked pensive as she visited a neonatal ward in a hospital to meet premature babies.
Staff gathered to greet the royal family as they roamed the wards of Kamuzu Hospital, stopping to say hello to small children who are patients and to talk to doctors about the facility.
She saw her join forces when she met young patients in the pediatric ward, and she also made a trip to the Kangaroo maternity ward to talk to expectant mothers.
Elsewhere, she told how her “dear mother-in-law” the late Queen was “so happy” for the people of Malawi that the country had eradicated the eye disease trachoma.
The mum of two looked quintessentially stylish in a white blazer paired with a pink patterned skirt as she chatted with Sahle-Work
Sophie, who is currently on a long solo tour of Africa and has visited a number of countries over the past two weeks, appeared in good spirits
Sophie said in a World Sight Day speech in Malawi that the Queen knew the summer before she died that the Countess would soon return to the South African nation to celebrate her success in battling the condition, which can cause blindness. .
The Countess, Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), said: “We are deeply indebted to Her Majesty for this incredible legacy and we say ‘zikomo’ (thank you).”
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Fund – on behalf of the Queen – focused on providing financial support to help fight preventable blindness in the Commonwealth, including Malawi.
Sophie traveled to Malawi five years ago as Deputy Patron of the Trust and said the Queen was “so moved” to hear of the work being carried out.
Sophie opted for a smart white blazer with a floral pink skirt when she sat down to meet the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
The Countess said: ‘The success we celebrate today means that future generations of Malawians will not have to face the great risk of blindness caused by trachoma – the irritation, the excruciating pain, the scars and the darkness, nor the prospect of being unable to to learn, work or cook without help and support.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, my dear mother-in-law, was so proud of the Commonwealth and all it stood for.
‘The last time I came back from Malawi, when I had traveled on her behalf, as the Vice-Patron of her Trust, I told her all about my visit and she was so touched by the wonderful work that is taking place here.
“This summer, before she died, she also knew that I was returning to Malawi and why.
“She knew about Malawi’s achievement and was so happy that this was made possible by the fund, with vision as the main objective. She was so happy for the Malawians.’
The royal mother of two appeared in good spirits during the discussion in Ethiopia yesterday (pictured)
Sophie said she had “a heart full of joy” to be back in Malawi to witness the formalization of the feat and said: “Today is a day I will remember for the rest of my life.”
She brought a personal letter from the king to the president of the country, Lazarus Chakwera, expressing his congratulations.
Charles wrote: “This is a remarkable success and a true tribute to all those whose hard work, dedication and dedication have led Malawi to become the first country in southern Africa to eradicate this devastating, neglected tropical disease as a public health problem.”
Malawi is the first country supported by the Trust to reach the milestone of trachoole elimination.
During her trip, Sophie visited Mgawi Village, where she met eye surgery patient Litens Dalali at her home after her treatment for chronic trachoma. She was accompanied by surgeon Gladys Ntwana.
The Countess sat on a mat on the floor as she talked to the woman and met her family, caressing a child’s head as the child cuddled up against a female relative.
She also traveled to the Maganga clinic in Salima to meet others who have benefited from medical treatment.
Earlier this week, the royal family was in Ethiopia, and she looked pensive as she leafed through a book of condolence for the beloved queen in the country.
In one photo, she appeared to be reading a message from an ambassador, Victor Adeleke, apparently written on September 12 – just a few days after the Queen’s death.
In his note, he wrote: ‘The world will surely miss you! Mama to His Majesty King Charles.
“On behalf of all the members of the Embassy of Nigeria, here in Addis, we say farewell to your Lord. Rest in perfect peace.’