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Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie to Begin Three-Day State Visit to Bangladesh on Monday
08 November 2026 18:11 PM
NEWS DESK
Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie, a member of the British royal family, is set to arrive in Bangladesh on Monday for a three-day state visit.
During her visit, she will take part in a series of engagements in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to highlight various aspects of the partnership between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the visit.
Sophie is scheduled to return to the UK on Wednesday. The Bangladesh government has declared her a Very Important Person (VIP) ahead of the visit. Accordingly, she will receive security protection from the Special Security Force (SSF).
During her stay, the Duchess of Edinburgh is scheduled to meet President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. She is also expected to hold a meeting with Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
As part of her programme, Sophie will visit the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) to learn about Bangladesh's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and the role of women in promoting peace and security.
She will also spend time with young athletes, including female hockey players, at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP). The programme will highlight how sports can create new opportunities for women and girls.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the British Council in Bangladesh, the Duchess will attend an event with young people focusing on education, cultural exchange and women's empowerment.
Following her engagements in Dhaka, Sophie will travel to Cox’s Bazar, where she will learn about the work of organisations supporting Rohingya refugees.
Her programme there will focus on initiatives aimed at protecting and supporting displaced women, children and families, as well as efforts to strengthen the capacity and leadership of refugee communities.
This will be Sophie's second visit to Bangladesh since 2017. The visit is being undertaken at the request of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
