Latest news with #EnglishforWomen
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duchess Sophie Is Following in Queen Elizabeth's Footsteps with Her Brand-New Role
Duchess Sophie is taking a page out of Queen Elizabeth's handbook with her brand-new role. The royal family recently announced that the Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, has been named patron of the Mothers' Union. The duchess will follow in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth (who previously held the position), along with the Queen Mother and Queen Victoria. The Duchess of Edinburgh celebrated the exciting news by visiting the organization to learn more about their goals ahead of the charity's 150th anniversary next year. The royal family documented the visit by sharing a slideshow of photos on Instagram. The caption read, 'As the newly announced Patron of @OfficialMothersUnion, The Duchess of Edinburgh has visited one of the charity's projects, English for Women, in Chelmsford.' It continued, 'The project aims to reduce isolation of those in local communities who experience language barriers in their everyday lives, many of whom are fleeing challenging situations. It provides a space where learners can build support networks and learn everyday English to increase their sense of belonging.' Following the announcement, Kathleen Snow (president of the Mothers' Union) released a statement and revealed that Duchess Sophie's involvement was a no-brainer. 'The Duchess will bring strength and inspiration for the work we all do,' she said. '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.' Snow continued, 'As a woman-led movement, we also greatly welcome the Duchess's commitment to promoting the development of women into leadership.' Keep up the great work, Duchess Sophie. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here. Kate Middleton & Prince William Just Stepped Out Together and Their Body Language Speaks Volumes About Their Marriage
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duchess Sophie Breaks Protocol During Her Latest Royal Outing
Earlier this month, Kate Middleton made headlines for breaking royal protocol by stopping her car to chat with a three-year-old in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Then, on social media, Meghan Markle captured footage of her husband, Prince Harry, bending the rules to speak with two fans while attending the 2025 Invictus Games. Now, Duchess Sophie is following suit as she carries out her exciting new role. In case you missed it, the Duchess of Edinburgh was recently announced as patron of the Mothers' Union—a Christian charity that aims to support families around the globe. To mark the occasion, she visited the organization's project, English for Women, in Chelmsford, and the royal family shared a few highlights on Instagram. In an unexpected twist, the royal didn't pass up an opportunity to take selfies with fans as she greeted them. In the very first slide, the Duchess smiles brightly as she poses behind a group of excited fans—many of whom are holding up their phones to grab a quick selfie. Meanwhile, the following pics offer a glimpse of the royal chatting with charity workers and having a coloring session with a little girl. Given that the royal family is encouraged to follow the unofficial 'no selfie' rule, the first snap of Sophie looking completely unbothered with her supporters is easily the standout. The popular gesture is discouraged because it was once considered disrespectful, per Greg Agnew, a royal fan who attended Queen Elizabeth's garden party in 2017. Even so, it's safe to say the rule is no longer strictly enforced. On IG, while announcing the duchess's new role, the royal family explained the mission behind English for Women and captioned the post, "The project aims to reduce isolation of those in local communities who experience language barriers in their everyday lives, many of whom are fleeing challenging situations. It provides a space where learners can build support networks and learn everyday English to increase their sense of belonging." The caption also revealed that the Mothers' Union has a long history of royal patrons, with the duchess following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother and Queen Victoria. In the comments section, one fan gushed, "Love Sophie so much she's an amazing lady always working hard for the king and supporting so many great projects." Another royal fan wrote, "The wonderful Duchess of Edinburgh, warm, kind, compassionate, and committed to great causes…uplifting just seeing her." Mothers' Union also took to IG to announce their new royal patron and wrote, "As our new patron, the Duchess of Edinburgh is committed to helping strengthen families and communities to deal with issues that impact them. Mothers' Union is a woman-led movement, and so we also greatly welcome the Duchess's commitment to promoting the development of women into leadership." Keep up the great work, Sophie. Want all the latest celebrity news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Duchess Sophie Just Stepped Out for a Royal Outing and Her Genius Footwear Choice Caught My Eye
The Independent
28-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Sophie follows in late Queen's footsteps to become patron of Mothers' Union
The Duchess of Edinburgh has become patron of the Mothers' Union. 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 and experience language barriers in their everyday lives, after fleeing conflict or challenging situations. The women-only sessions help with conversational English, building confidence and understanding British culture, through small topic-led discussions. Sophie is following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II who was a long-time patron of the charity, as was the Queen Mother. Its first royal patron was Queen Victoria. The union has some four million members across the world in 84 countries. Kathleen Snow, the union's worldwide president, 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.' The 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. In the past, it was criticised for being 'fuddy-duddy' and too concerned with 'tea-making and trivia'. But in recent years, it has worked to shake off its traditional image. In 2003, it called for young couples preparing to get married to take HIV tests, in a bid to stimulate debate about the disease as it sent out education packs to 30,000 people. Three years earlier, the United Nations gave the union consultative status within its Economic and Social Council on issues such as poverty, gender equality, HIV and Aids. In 2011, the then-Mothers' Union chief executive Reg Bailey carried out an independent review into the sexualisation of childhood on behalf of the coalition government. The report Letting Children Be Children called on businesses and broadcasters to play their part in protecting young people from the 'increasingly sexualised wallpaper' surrounding them, and recommended age ratings for music videos and a website to help parents raise complaints. In 2016, Mothers' Union representatives from around the world attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York to lobby governments and the UN on women's economic empowerment. The union's English for Women project links closely with Sophie's support of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, a UN initiative which recognises the impact of conflict on women and girls, and also the positive role women play in conflict resolution building peace. Judy Halls, a longtime Mothers' Union member and volunteer session leader with English for Women, said: 'The Mothers' Union was created when women lacked equality, confidence, and opportunities. 'We've stayed true to those principles, which is why English for Women aligns so closely with our values.' The Diocese of Chelmsford Mothers' Union also hosts English for All sessions which are open to both women and men.
Telegraph
27-02-2025
- General
- Telegraph
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.'
