Sophie, Countess of Wessex Gives a Speech on Plight of the Blind and Visually-Impaired

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Sophie, Countess of Wessex Gives a Speech on Plight of the Blind and Visually-Impaired

Caption: The 50-year-old royal is also global ambassador for Vision 2020

THE COUNTESS of Wessex has spoken movingly of the plight of blind and visually-impaired people across the world.

Speaking as patron of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness to mark World Sight Day tomorrow, Sophie said 39 million people have sight problems but that 80 per cent of blindness is preventable.

The 50-year-old royal, who is also global ambassador for Vision 2020, a worldwide initiative aiming to eliminate avoidable blindness over the next five years, gave the poignant speech in Doha, as part of a four-day trip to Qatar with the sight-saving charity Orbis UK.

Addressing the Seeing Is Believing gala dinner, the mother-of-two said: "I have seen sight being restored and I can promise you there are few things more rewarding in this world than seeing someone step from the dark into the light. Click link for full post from EXPRESS.

Queen of Jewelry

Brooches, usually worn on the left shoulder, were a favourite for the royal and the Queen was believed to have over 100 in her collection. A selection that would go with an outfit were presented to her - usually three at a time - by her senior dresser and confidante Angela Kelly on special trays that once belonged to Queen Mary. The royal had a wide variety of different brooches which she often wore with her usual pearl earrings and necklace, including a spray of flowers brooch by the people and government of Australia during her Coronation tour of 1954./