Duchess of Edinburgh becomes patron of charity where late Queen railed against divorce
The Duchess of Edinburgh has become patron of the Mothers' Union, taking over from Elizabeth II, who once told its members that divorce was 'responsible for some of the darkest evils in our society'.
Sophie visited the Christian organisation, which marks its 150th anniversary next year, in Chelmsford, Essex, on Thursday to hear about its English for Women project.
The initiative aims to reduce the isolation of women in local communities who speak little or no English after fleeing conflict or challenging situations.
It chimes with much of the Duchess's work in supporting women in conflict zones.
Mothers' Union was founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner, the wife of a Winchester rector, to support mothers from all backgrounds as they brought up their children in the Christian faith.
It was once criticised for being 'fuddy-duddy' and too concerned with 'tea-making and trivia'.
Its traditional Christian values barred divorcees and single mothers from membership until the 1960s.
The charity's support for the sanctity of marriage was supported by the late Queen who, as a 23-year-old Princess, told the union in 1949: 'When we see around us the havoc which has been wrought, above all among the children, by the breakup of homes, we can have no doubt that divorce and separation are responsible for some of the darkest evils in our society today.'
The union has since worked to shake off its traditional image and now boasts some four million members in 84 countries.
In 2003, it called for young couples preparing to get married to take HIV tests, while in 2011, its then chief executive carried out an independent review into the sexualisation of childhood on behalf of the coalition government.
It works in prisons, highlights domestic abuse in communities and offers support to the vulnerable.
In becoming patron, the Duchess follows in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, as well as the Queen Mother. Its first royal patron was Queen Victoria.
Kathleen Snow, worldwide president of the union, said: 'The Duchess will bring strength and inspiration for the work we all do.
'We are especially grateful for Her Royal Highness's experience and commitment to championing the most marginalised, particularly those who are impacted by violence and abuse in conflict, a cause we are passionate about, because conflict disproportionately affects women and children.
'As a woman-led movement, we also greatly welcome the duchess's commitment to promoting the development of women into leadership.'
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