Duchess Sophie spent part of her Jersey visit meeting staff, families and service users at EYECAN, the island’s only sight impairment charity. The Duchess of Edinburgh, 61, was photographed petting a guide dog, trying Braille Lego and joining a craft activity where she made paper roses. The visit followed a milestone moment earlier in the trip, when she became the first royal to travel to Les Écréhous during a two-day programme centred on Jersey’s sustainable food production, according to Daily Mail.
Sophie Tries Sight Loss Tools at EYECAN
At the charity centre, Sophie took part in a series of demonstrations designed to reflect the daily experiences of people with visual impairments. She tested glasses that simulate cataracts and was also seen using a cane. The duchess later tried Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses equipped with AI features for images, music and calls. Her appearance was polished but practical for the hot weather, with a pink floral dress, gold jewellery, black sunglasses and gold sandals as temperatures on the island climbed to 31C.
The Duchess Meets Young Families in Jersey
The royal engagement also included time with children and parents supported by the charity. Sophie met five-year-old Neveah Thorpe and 18-month-old Novah Thorpe before being shown a Braille Lego set. She then joined a crafts session and made pink paper roses with participants before marking the occasion with a plaque ceremony. The stop reflected a personal area of work for the duchess, who has spent years backing causes linked to blindness and visual impairment through public visits, speeches and charity patronage.
Lady Louise’s Eye Condition Shaped Sophie’s Work
That commitment has roots in family life. Sophie has previously spoken about her daughter Lady Louise Windsor’s early vision problems after she was born prematurely in 2003. "Premature babies can often have squints because the eyes are the last thing in the baby package to really be finalised," Sophie told the Sunday Express. She added: "Her squint was quite profound when she was tiny, and it takes time to correct it. You've got to make sure one eye doesn't become more dominant than the other but she's fine now - her eyesight is perfect."
Royal Duties Continue After Ascot Anniversary
The Jersey trip came soon after a busy stretch in the royal calendar. Sophie and Prince Edward recently marked their 27th wedding anniversary during Royal Ascot, where she wore the same pearl necklace from their wedding day. Earlier this month, she also joined King Charles, Queen Camilla and other senior royals at the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The latest outing showed the duchess balancing ceremonial appearances with practical charity work, while keeping attention on support for blind and visually impaired communities.
