Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh visits Harris Girls' Academy on January 24, 2024.Photo:Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty
Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburghis tackling a taboo topic in women’s health.
“When you have heavy periods worrying about when you stand up from a chair. That’s the worst one,” she said.
The workshop was organized for Wellbeing of Women’s #JustaPeriod campaign, which the palacesaid“aims to increase awareness and education around period problems, and normalize conversations around the topic.”Prince Edward’s wife is a patron of the organization, the U.K.’s only charity exclusively dedicated to women’s reproductive and gynecological health.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh visits Harris Girls' Academy on January 24, 2024.Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty
During the event, the Duchess of Edinburgh heard stories from the students of friends who had to stay home during their periods because they could not afford feminine care products and addressed the stigma around certain period products.
“If you were going to shopping and your friends are going for the mini and regular tampons, are you going to feel self-conscious saying, ‘I need the big guns?’ ” theDaily Mailreported that the Duchess of Edinburgh said. “It’s not because the size of what you are thinking, ‘Oh I must be really big down there.’ ”
Sophie went on to stress that feminine care products shouldn’t be hidden at home, urging, “Let’s get them out of the closet.” According to the outlet, the royal mom told three boys who joined at the end of the session that they were “‘very brave” for joining in the discussion.
“I think bringing boys into the conversation is very important. I’ve been to many countries around the world and other countries seem to be more progressive,” the Duchess of Edinburgh said.
Sophiebecame patronof Wellbeing of Women in May 2021 and said she looked forward to lifting the shroud of silence around women’s reproductive health.
“The menstrual cycle, periods, the menopause, having babies… you know, we all talk about having babies, but nobody talks about periods, nobody talks about the menopause, why not?” she said during a virtual roundtable with Wellbeing of Women chair Professor Dame Lesley Regan and other experts.
“It’s something that happens to us 12 times a year. It’s something that’s incredibly normal, but it’s something that is hidden. And I think it’s time to say, ‘Enough, we need to bring this out onto the table and say, let’s talk about this.’ "
Meghan Marklealso used her platform to actively promote women’s voices and gender equality.
In March 2017,Prince Harry’s then-girlfriend penned apowerful essayabout the moving weekshe spent in Indiato learn about the issues and challenges the women and girls who live there face. In particular, she learned about the stigma surrounding menstruation and lack of access to proper sanitation.
“During my time in the field, many girls shared that they feel embarrassed to go to school during their periods, ill-equipped with rags instead of pads, unable to participate in sports, and without bathrooms available to care for themselves, they often opt to drop out of school entirely,” she continued.
“Beyond India, in communities all over the globe, young girls’ potential is being squandered because we are too shy to talk about the most natural thing in the world.
“To that, I say: we need to push the conversation, mobilize policy-making surrounding menstrual health initiatives, support organizations who foster girls’ education from the ground up, and within our own homes, we need to rise above our puritanical bashfulness when it comes to talking about menstruation.”
Meghan Markle in 2016.Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
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Sophie has kept a packed schedule of royal duties while other members of the family are dealing with health challenges.
Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 thatKate Middletonhad “planned abdominal surgery” atThe London Clinicthe previous day. Palace sources tell PEOPLE that the Princess of Wales, 42, is “doing well.” The issue is understood to be non-cancerous, andPrince Williamwasseen leavingthe London Clinic last Thursday during what the palace said would be a 10 to 14-day stay before going home to continue her recovery.
On the same day, Buckingham Palace revealedKing Charlesis expected to undergo treatment this week for anenlarged prostate. It’s understood that the King, 75, wanted to share his diagnosis to encourage men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked. King Charles will be capable of fulfilling his constitutional requirements and duties during this time, a royal source tells PEOPLE.
Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, also shared that she was diagnosed with skin cancer over the weekend. The news comes just months after she underwent surgery for breast cancer.
Meanwhile, Sophie’s husband is in the St. Helena. There,Prince Edward met Jonathan, a 192-year-old tortoisethat many other members of the royal family have previously greeted during their visits to the British overseas territory — including Edward’s mother, the future Queen Elizabeth, in 1947.
source: people.com
