'Hardworking' Duchess of Edinburgh steps up for King Charles as she makes passionate speech
Duchess Sophie has taken on more engagements since King Charles' cancer diagnosis
The Duchess of Edinburgh wowed royal fans as she travelled to Brussels for a powerful engagement focused on tackling online child sexual abuse and exploitation – a cause close to her heart.
Sophie, 59, delivered a passionate keynote speech at an event hosted by the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Children’s Rights.
She urged world leaders, tech giants, and policymakers to come together to protect children from the growing threats of online harm.
“This is a challenge we need to tackle urgently, particularly given the emergence of generative AI,” she warned. “No one country can do it alone. It will take a collective effort by all – including governments, technology companies, regulators, civil society and law enforcement.”
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, makes appearance in Brussels
Sophie looked striking in a Victoria Beckham blazer suit in soft blue, paired with a Gabriela Hearst floral shirt, pink Jimmy Choo heels, and a Sophie Habsburg bag.
Fans took to social media to praise both her poise and purpose.
“Very important mission for The Duchess of Edinburgh. HRH is hardworking and dedicated to her causes,” one user wrote on Twitter.
“Power Suit for #SuperSophie,” another gushed.
“She always brings colour and style, but never distracts from the serious issues she’s passionate about.”
“The last time I addressed policymakers here in Brussels was in 2021,” she said in her speech. “Sadly, the world was already behind the curve in preventing the explosion in abuse of children online.”
Citing alarming statistics – including the 300 million children affected globally by online abuse – the Duchess called for urgent, collaborative solutions, especially amid the rise of AI-generated content and unchecked platforms.
“Today, children are… exposed to an enormous amount of harmful and inappropriate content. All with consequences which can prove devastating, and can even lead to them taking their own lives,” Sophie continued.
“I implore you now, on behalf of the children of today and tomorrow, to redouble your efforts in prioritising their safety and well-being.”
Sophie is King Charles’ ‘secret weapon’
Since King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, the Duchess has quietly become one of the monarchy’s most reliable and hardworking senior royals, increasing her public engagements to support the royal family.
In recent months, she’s carried out high-profile trips to Ukraine, the Republic of Chad, and now Belgium. Sophie often visits conflict or high-risk zones on the King’s behalf.
“Sophie is making quite a habit of going to troubled regions,” Royal expert Jennie Bond told OK!. “She’s a very modest woman carrying out a high-profile role without fuss or fanfare, and often without the recognition she is due.”
After her keynote, Sophie participated in a roundtable discussion with global child rights NGOs and survivors.
The Duchess reinforced the importance of amplifying victim voices and engaging young people in creating safe digital environments.
Her dedication to these causes, combined with her quiet courage and tireless work ethic, continues to cement her role as one of the most respected and reliable working royals today.
“She’s not the sort to take up a cause and be satisfied with a purely honorary role.” Jennie Bond added. “She wants to make a difference, and she’s prepared to take risks to do so. Well done Sophie!
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