The Duchess of Edinburgh is undertaking a five-day official visit to Zambia from 14 to 19 September 2026. On the second day of her visit to Zambia, the Duchess met Zambian women who are using visual arts and theatre to build confidence, resilience and community dialogue.
During a sit-down discussion with artists and participants in a Barefeet workshop, the Duchess heard about their creative journeys, their aspirations, and the messages of change they hope to share through their work.
Afterwards, the Duchess of Edinburgh, together with British High Commissioner to Zambia Rebecca Terzeon, visited the Community House in Lusaka, where they met the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, and First Lady Mutinta Hichilema.
Veronica Beard Skye Scarf Print Midi Dress
Soler California Shirt in Silk Palmera-Print
The first dress is just too long.
ReplyDeleteAgree - interesting but too long. I have absolutely nothing good to say about the second dress - so I will say nothing . LRB
DeleteThe first dress is a definite no for me -- too long, too busy and does the Duchess no favors, nor do the clunky -looking shoes. But, the Veronica Beard is absolutely lovely,, including the handkerchief styled skirt. The best part is the dress accentuates her waist and appears to raise her bustline -- much better than in many of her outfits. This one is a win imo. Also like complimentary shoes and purse.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you on every point. I wish someone would burn the awful clumpy sandals.
DeleteI have to agree with you. I normally do not like uneven hems but this dress looks really good on the duchess.
DeleteExcellent dresses. The first one is just so pretty and artistic, perfect for the context. I love the warmth of a photo of a group of women sharing an interest or goal. The Veronica Beard dress is really lovely and the shoes coordinate excellently. I love the hemline, so elegant and whimsical. Royal tours are fun to observe and I love reading about the different stops along the way.
ReplyDeleteI miss her long hair in a bun, I personally liked that better on her 🙃
ReplyDelete/Sofia
If her present bob style appeared a bit more well groomed, it could be number 1, because the style is good - but the maintenance not quite (maybe just washing daily/cut the ends frequently/more brushing would help?). As it is, I agree with you: the bun showed her pretty face, the nice "wave" above her forehead was present and it just looked well-groomed.
DeleteLove the Soler “ theatrical” dress. The last dress: very good pattern but the uneven hem spoils it for me.
ReplyDeleteAgree, the colours in the Solar-dress really suits her.
DeleteThe first dress by Soler is very nice. It has a joyful and interesting print. So much nicer than all the flowery prints imho. There is something off with the handkerchief dress. I think the cutoff sits too low on the hip.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Soler dress is a great print, and thankfully, something different from all her floral dresses. The shoes look really heavy/chunky, but the dress is great. Also think the VB dress is not flattering with the drab pattern and long handkerchief hem.
DeleteThis bathrobe length ruins the best dresses ... Sure someone will come and want to "defend" her with "but what if she likes this length?" - maybe, but it is highly irrelevant, we are not here to analyse her thoughts or motivations, only the resulting outfits. The espadrilles she likes too, sure - but that does not make them look good. The uneven hem dress would be really quite pretty without the uneven hem - a further example that she should keep her fingers from puff sleeves ruches and similar adornments. The sleeker the better for the English rose.
ReplyDeleteVery well said. I completely agree
DeleteAnnieM
“ but it is highly irrelevant, we are not here to analyse her thoughts or motivations, only the resulting outfits”… you’re joking surely? How is the thought and motivation of a human ever irrelevant? I place that in the centre.
Delete@11:02, I explained the context in which the thoughts and motivation of the wearer is irrelevant - and this context is ours here. Why it is irrelevant here: very simple, we don't know them. And to talk about the "inside" of people who we don't know is, for me, gossiping. We are here to talk about outfits, the effect they make on us. You can place whatever you like in the centre but do not think please that everybody should think the same.
DeleteI have to agree with you, the final result could be a lot better with just some minor details/effort
DeleteLuna
Dresses are well chosen, cool, comfortable and very appropriate. What an asset
ReplyDeletethe lovely Duchess of Edinburgh is to the RF.
I agree!!!
DeleteHmmmm, the first dress woild look nicer with the shoes she wore with the second dress. The second dress just odd, not very becoming.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 was so promising that my disappointment with Sophie's Day 2 choices is more than it should be. I really do not like either one of these dresses at all. The Soler dress or skirt and blouse combo is...(sorry Sophie) awful. The print is bizarre and the skirt is too long. The second dress by Veronica Beard has potential. Sophie needs a belt--the style of this dress does not flatter her. A belt could improve things. The other part is a personal thing with me--I really detest handkerchief hems. Lop off those dangly-looking points and I think it might work better.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Dear Janet, I love the Soler dress. I think it suits her face very well but also the event is a creative barefoot workshop, so I think the arty design is a great choice. I don’t think you need to say sorry to Sophie as the dress isn’t awful, just you don’t like it, which is fine, but different from actually being awful!
DeleteAbout day 1: I read somewhere that Sophie's luggage was lost, so she had to wear her outfits for the flight on the first day. And on that day she wore that sleek ensemble - exceptionally good jacket with a simple top and pants!
DeleteI like the first dress, its bright and interesting, the length is a tad long. The 2nd dress V Beard dress is very individual and has real promise. I do dislike the uneven hem, but she wears this dress well.
ReplyDeleteMarimekko is very nice.
ReplyDeleteIt’s very bold. Where do you see it in these photos? I can’t see it.
DeleteThe white printed dress is lovely( but of course too long), but the dark dress is an absolute low point
ReplyDeleteAprès avoir fait défiler les photos, c’est la deuxième robe en V qui a ma préférence ; elle est parfaite pour la silhouette de Sophie !
ReplyDeleteI like both dresses, but the length on the Soler dress is just a bit too much. The Veronica Beard dress is lovely by all accounts (imho, of course).
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why does she choose those awful espadrilles as soon as visits a warm climate country. They do nothing for her chosen outfits. I have nothing against espadrilles only in combination with the clothes which she wears them with. On the other hand I think both dresses really suit her. The first dress is not really too long it is just those shoes she chose to wear with them.
ReplyDeleteIn the second dress I think she looks amazing it flatters her immensly. I am looking at what it does for her, not what I like (I hate uneven hems and I do not like busy designs of that type) but it is not what I like but how it suits the wearer and in this case I think she has hit the nail on the head. Even looks much better in it than the model.
Indeed, Number 4 green dress, Unikko Marimekko is geogius.
ReplyDeleteI love Marimekko. Kirsi from Finnland.
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses look very busy. I think the placement of the pattern on the second dress is giving it an odd dropped-waist visual effect, and the uneven hem is not my favorite. I love Sophie’s current hairstyle on her - it looks youthful and works better than her longer hairstyle did with her pronounced “widow’s peak,” in my opinion.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
I agree her hair this length is more youthful
Delete@Royal Watcher, with all due respect, just for consideration: I think she has a "cowclick" or hair whorl there where you suspect a widow's peak. She can use it well to bring motion to her front hairline (instead of wanting to hide it with a fringe like for her wedding). And it is very visible with her bob too. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLoh5SnFuGvjAY1M3eqz5W5ms7jJ6a6f4wVeMhs_kf3g&s=10
DeleteI love Sophie's dresses so stylish and relaxed. Hair looks great, makeup refreshing
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