The Duchess of Edinburgh has issued a harrowing statement on the number of victims of sexual violence in war zones, saying "it doesn't seem to stop" and that she wishes "it would get less".
Speaking during a visit to the Imperial War Museum's Unsilenced exhibition, Sophie revealed that "the stories never get any easier and they never change" as she reflected on her travels to conflict zones worldwide.
The exhibition, which marks the museum's first dedicated to untold stories of war, spans six rooms showcasing evidence, testimonies and photographs documenting how rape has been weaponised in conflicts from the Second World War to present-day Ukraine.
"We have to help people to understand that they [victims] are not the ones who have the shame, they are not the ones whose lives should be destroyed," the Duchess stated. "We have to do better."
The Duchess of Edinburgh has made a harrowing admission on the number of victims of sexual violence in war zones, saying "it doesn't seem to stop" and that she wishes "it would get less".
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Her visit comes ahead of International Day to End Sexual Violence in Conflict on June 19 and follows the royal's extensive travel to hear directly from survivors.
Sophie has visited Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad to meet rape survivors and their children. In October 2024, she became the first Royal family member to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.
The Duchess believes the European conflict has brought sexual violence "into stark reality" for British audiences.
She told the Telegraph: "A lot more people are more aware... because suddenly it's happened where people can suddenly see it and it's more related to them.
Speaking during a visit to the Imperial War Museum's Unsilenced exhibition, Sophie revealed that "the stories never get any easier and they never change" as she reflected on her travels to conflict zones worldwide.
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"Suddenly it's being brought into sharp focus. When we have a conflict in Europe, it brings it into stark reality but we must not forget conflicts in Africa."
The Duchess expressed concern that African conflicts risk being overshadowed by the war in Ukraine.
"They are just as important. Sometimes I just feel, sadly, that Sudan and the DRC, they get slightly swept aside," she said.
Sophie acknowledged the challenge of maintaining public attention across multiple crises.
The Duchess expressed concern that African conflicts risk being overshadowed by the war in Ukraine.
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Sophie acknowledged the challenge of maintaining public attention across multiple crises.
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She said: "People can only cope with a certain amount," she explained. "What do you do? What's the most important conflict? They all seem to get drowned out."
Despite these difficulties, Sophie emphasised the need for persistence. "It's very hard so we have to keep going.
“Exhibitions like these are very important. Just to bring it to the wider awareness of the public."
The Unsilenced exhibition continues at the Imperial War Museum in London.
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