Duchess of Edinburgh pictured in Geneva just days after Meghan Markle’s departure

The Duchess of Sussex attended the inauguration of The Lost Screen Memorial on Sunday

The Duchess of Edinburgh made an appearance at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Tuesday, delivering an appeal for global action on avoidable sight loss.

Speaking in her capacity as Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Sophie, 61, addressed health ministers, diplomats and international health leaders about the scale of the crisis.

 

More than one billion people worldwide are affected by preventable or treatable vision impairment, she told delegates.

The duchess emphasised this was “not through any lack of solutions, but through a lack of sustained, prioritised action.”

Duchess of Edinburgh and Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Edinburgh was pictured in Geneva just days after Meghan Markle’s exit

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Her address marked a significant moment in elevating eye health on the international agenda.

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s Geneva visit came just two days after the Duchess of Sussex appeared at the same assembly.

Meghan attended the inauguration of The Lost Screen Memorial on Sunday, an installation featuring 50 illuminated lightboxes displaying images of children who died following exposure to digital harm.

The memorial, hosted by Archewell Philanthropies and the World Health Organisation, was positioned on Geneva’s Place des Nations.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle gave a speech during her time in Switzerland

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During her address, Meghan posed a stark question to attendees: “If an adult is barely able to survive the bullying and predation of the online world and the dangers that these platforms can bring, how is a child?”

In her address, Sophie presented a compelling financial case for prioritising vision care in developing nations.

She cited the Value of Vision investment case, noting that each dollar directed towards eye health in low- and middle-income countries yields an estimated $28 (£20) in economic returns.

“The value of vision is just not a moral argument but an economic argument,” she stated. “The case for investment is more than compelling.”

The duchess highlighted a stark disparity in resource allocation, pointing out that eye conditions account for up to 10 per cent of patient consultations in many developing nations, yet receive less than one per cent of national health budgets.

“That gap is not sustainable. And it is not justifiable,” she declared.

Sophie used her platform to build momentum ahead of a landmark gathering later this year.

The first Global Summit for Eye Health will take place in Antigua and Barbuda on November 2, running alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle chatting to small children during her visit

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Nigeria will co-host the summit, which has official backing from the World Health Organisation.

The event aims to bring together heads of state and Government with eye health leaders and funders to secure concrete, measurable commitments.

The duchess urged delegations in Geneva not to delay, stating: “Don’t wait until November. Start now shaping commitments you can announce.

“We have the know-how. We just need your will and commitment.”