November 2025 — At the request of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), HRH Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, is undertaking a nine‑day official visit to South and Central America, encompassing Peru, Panama, Guatemala, and Belize.
The visit highlights the UK’s commitment to advancing bilateral relations across the region, with a focus on women’s empowerment, child welfare, environmental protection, cultural cooperation, and humanitarian advocacy.
Purpose of the Visit
The Duchess’s tour is designed to:
- Reinforce the UK’s diplomatic partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Highlight shared priorities in human rights, education, and sustainable development.
- Support the UK’s global leadership on humanitarian issues, including conflict‑related sexual violence and child protection.
- Promote cultural exchange and celebrate milestones in bilateral relations.
Key Engagements
Peru
- Meeting with President Jose Jeri and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela at the Government Palace in Lima, marking 200 years of UK–Peru relations.
- Engagements with Indigenous Women’s Rights Defenders in Iquitos, focusing on human rights and environmental sustainability.
- Attendance at events celebrating the UK’s Biodiverse Landscape Fund programme in the Amazon.
Panama
- Discussions with senior officials on conflict‑related sexual violence and human trafficking, reinforcing UK leadership in humanitarian advocacy.
- Engagements with civil society groups supporting survivors of violence and trafficking.
Guatemala
- Meeting with Vice President Karin Herrera to discuss child welfare and social protection.
- Visits to La Alianza shelter and Street Kids Direct, a British NGO protecting vulnerable children.
- Tour of the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, underscoring the UK’s commitment to cultural diplomacy.
Belize
- Reception by Governor‑General Dame Froyla Tzalam and Amalia Mai, CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
- Meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño and Special Envoy Rossana Briceño, with discussions on women’s empowerment, child welfare, and environmental protection.
- Visit to the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), highlighting her role as Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Patron of ORBIS.
Outlook
The Duchess’s engagements continue through November 19, 2025, with further meetings and cultural visits planned in Guatemala and Belize. The tour reflects the UK’s broader strategy of fostering resilient partnerships, advancing shared values, and supporting communities across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Conclusion
Undertaken on behalf of the UK Foreign Office, the Duchess of Edinburgh’s visit combines high‑level diplomatic meetings with grassroots humanitarian initiatives, reinforcing Britain’s role as a trusted partner in the region. The tour highlights the UK’s commitment to building stronger ties and addressing shared global challenges through diplomacy, advocacy, and cultural exchange.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and President of Peru, Jose Jeri Picture from royalfamily_windsor
