Duchess Sophie departs UK for King Charles, without Prince Edward

Duchess Sophie has officially kicked off her three day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, without her husband Prince Edward, where she will take part in a ceremony marking 30 years of since the Srebrenica Genocide.

On July 11, the Duchess of Edinburgh will attend the official commemoration at the Srebrenica Memorial Centre, where she will deliver a message on behalf of King Charles.

After reading the heartfelt message from the 76-year-old Monarch, the 60-year-old British Royal family member will honour the victims by laying a flower at the cemetery and also meet with the mothers affected by this tragedy and endured the heartbreaking loss of their sons, husbands and fathers.

On July 10, the Duchess will head to Sarajevo's Old Town, to meet with a local woman leading peacebuilding efforts to learn about and better understand the lasting effects of the conflict on women and their contributions in reconciliation efforts.

During her visit, Sophie is also scheduled to meet with the Missing Persons Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an organisation strongly committed to tracing individuals who are still missing from the 1990s war.

Continuing her advocacy, the Duchess will speak survivors of the conflict-related sexual violence, a cause she has supported since a long time, and hold discussions with religious leaders who are working on fostering peace and reconciliation across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sophie will also engage with members of UK military personnel who are currently serving with NATO in the region.