The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, on the second day of her five-day tour in Zambia, engaged with a local family business specializing in ethically sourced gemstones. She visited Jewel of Africa, a bespoke jewelry company founded in 1992 in Lusaka, the nation's capital, where she tried her hand at polishing a quartz gemstone.

During her visit, Sophie observed the creative process involved in gemstone crafting and learned about the business's commitment to sustainability, direct sourcing from Zambian mines, and responsible supply chains. She also learned about the business's emphasis on ethically sourced Zambian gemstones and local craftsmanship.

Later in the day, the Duchess met with artists and survivors of gender-based violence at Lusaka's Imvelo Studios. This engagement focused on how creative expression can serve as a means of empowerment and healing. Sophie, who advocates for the prevention of violence against women globally, also participated in discussions with prominent Zambian women business leaders about resilience and empowering future generations.

The Duchess, who is committed to drawing attention to violence against women across the globe, also spoke with a group of prominent Zambian women business leaders about their views on resillience and the empowerment of future generations

Sophie's five-day visit is set to include engagements highlighting interests such as gender equality, climate change, and education. She is scheduled to meet with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema at Community House in Lusaka. The tour will also take her to the Lower Zambezi and Livingstone, where she plans to visit Victoria Falls and lay a flower at a World War I memorial.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, the Duchess attended a reception hosted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Orbis. This event preceded the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health in Antigua, which aims to eliminate avoidable sight loss by 2030. Sophie, a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, has a personal commitment to tackling avoidable blindness, inspired in part by her daughter Lady Louise Windsor's past experience with strabismus.

The Duchess of Edinburgh tried her hand at polishing gemstones at a local family jewellery business in Zambia today for the second day of her tour

Sophie is also expected to engage with charities Orbis and Sightsavers, including a visit to a health clinic in Mukuni Village to observe a trachoma elimination program. The visit to Zambia is being undertaken at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.