The Duchess of Edinburgh has taken on a new role as royal patron of Visualise Scotland, an Edinburgh-based organisation dedicated to assisting adults living with visual impairment and complex disabilities across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Buckingham Palace marked the announcement with a fresh portrait of Sophie, captured by royal photographer Millie Pilkington, renowned for her work with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In the image, the duchess is pictured wearing a white Beulah London midi dress featuring a fitted bodice and trumpet sleeves – an outfit she previously wore to a reception for newly elected MPs in 2025.
She accessorised with her signature everyday jewellery, believed to include an Asprey London oak leaf bracelet and understated gold earrings.
The patronage carries profound personal significance for the duchess.
Sophie’s eldest child with the Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, was born with esotropia – a rare condition that causes one eye to turn inward, producing a pronounced squint.
Lady Louise arrived prematurely in 2003, weighing just 4lb 9oz. The birth itself was a harrowing ordeal for Sophie, then the Countess of Wessex, who was rushed to hospital after her blood pressure plummeted to dangerously low levels.
She lost nine pints of blood during the emergency, describing it as “very scary” to The Sunday Times in 2020.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has taken on a new role as royal patron of Visualise Scotland, an Edinburgh-based organisation dedicated to assisting adults living with visual impairment and complex disabilities across Edinburgh and the Lothians
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MILLIE PILKINGTON // BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Lady Louise’s premature arrival is thought to have contributed to the eye condition, which required surgical correction – first as an infant and again at the age of 10.
Both procedures proved entirely successful.
Sophie later explained: “She had a severe squint and had corrective surgery. It’s still not perfect, but none of us are.”
Lady Louise has since flourished in every respect, and completed her degree at the University of St Andrews this year.
Lady Louise completed her degree at the University of St Andrews earlier this year and is presently enjoying a gap year | UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
Sophie’s advocacy for eye health extends well beyond this latest patronage. She holds the position of Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and received an Honorary Fellowship from the College of Optometrists in 2025.
Dr Gillian Rudduck, the College’s President, hailed the Duchess’s contributions as “inspirational” when conferring the honour, describing Fellowship as “the College’s highest accolade.”
“The Duchess of Edinburgh’s work championing eye health projects in both the United Kingdom and in countries around the world is an inspiration to us all,” Dr Rudduck said.
In 2022, Sophie travelled to Botswana and Malawi in her IAPB ambassadorial capacity, witnessing first-hand the progress being made in eye surgery and care. During World Sight Day celebrations in Malawi, she visited local clinics to observe sight-saving procedures.
She has also supported Seeing is Believing, Orbis UK and The Visions Foundation.
Visualise Scotland was established in 1987, and its services encompass specialised day care, housing support and supported living arrangements, all aimed at helping individuals lead fulfilled, independent lives.
Pauline Gray, the charity’s chief executive, expressed her delight at the appointment, saying: “We are honoured and proud that The Duchess has agreed to be our Royal Patron supporting our mission to deliver outstanding services to people with disabilities through housing support, supported living and a range of day services.”