The Countess of Wessex has made royal history by carrying out an important official overseas visit.
Sophie is currently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - and has become the first royal to ever visit the African country. She is carrying out an official visit there at the request of the Foreign Office and the trip is focusing on addressing the devastating impact of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, while supporting and empowering survivors and tackling the stigma they face. She is being accompanied by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister's special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict.
Security is tight for Sophie's visit, which had been planned for many months before the death of the Queen.
As part of her engagements today, she warmly embraced world-renowned surgeon and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Denis Mukwege.
A smiling Sophie, who was close to the late Queen, put her arms out and hugged Dr Mukwege, who greeted her at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, South Kivu Province.
Dr Mukwege was honoured for his work helping sexually abused women at the hospital he founded.
He has treated thousands who have been raped amid fighting between armed groups seeking to control some of the central African nation’s vast mineral wealth.
Mum-of-two Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, was shown first-hand the pioneering and critical medical treatment provided to those who have endured brutal, conflict-related sexual violence and trauma.
She toured the hospital, including its newly opened operating room, spent time with some of the survivors being cared for at the Panzi, and spoke to its team of experts.
Some 3,500 babies born of sexual violence in conflict are delivered there each year, and Sophie also heard about the vital support given to the mothers.
The Panzi Foundation has supported more than 70,000 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence since 1999.
Sophie’s visit is taking place in the run-up to the International Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference in London next month, which is being hosted by the UK Government and which the countess will attend.
She has publicly committed herself to supporting the UK’s work helping victims of rape, sexual violence and exploitation in war.
Sophie said last year that hearing survivors’ stories of sexual violence has taken her to "some very dark places" during her work to raise awareness.
"Every story I am told is pushing me forward. I feel obligated to tell people this is happening – it is their story to tell and I support them," she added.
In its recent history, the DRC has endured years of civil conflict in what has been called Africa’s world war, with the loss of up to six million lives through fighting or disease and malnutrition.
A peace agreement was signed in 2002 but violence continued in some areas, requiring a large United Nations military force to try to maintain order.
This August, Africa’s second largest country faced rising regional tensions in the east, with weeks of deadly protests against UN peacekeepers.
