Duchess of Edinburgh looks chic in a patterned blouse as she continues her five-day tour of Zambia after travel mishap saw her luggage go missing

The Duchess of Edinburgh commenced the third day of her high-profile Zambian tour deep within the country's wilderness, visiting the base camp of Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ). Her five-day official visit, undertaken at the request of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, got off to an unexpectedly bumpy start when a logistical mishap left her luggage delayed. Arriving in Lusaka without her formal tour wardrobe, the Duchess humorously noted to hosts that she was conducting her opening engagements—which included a warm welcome by traditional dancers at the British High Commission and an audience with President Hakainde Hichilema—in her "aeroplane clothes". Rather than disrupting the diplomatic and programmatic goals of the trip, the minor inconvenience was met with characteristic pragmatism and good humour. During her meeting with President Hichilema at his private residence, discussions stretched far beyond their scheduled ten-minute slot, touching on bilateral ties, environmental conservation, and historical relations. The encounter also featured lighthearted moments, including a casual observation of the resident zebras roaming the presidential gardens, which added a distinctly local charm to the formal proceedings. Moving past the capital's diplomatic enclave, the Duchess transitioned her focus to Zambia's frontline ecological preservation efforts. At the CLZ base camp, Sophie spent time interacting directly with the Kufusza Rangers Team, an all-female patrol unit dedicated to combating poaching and safeguarding the delicate ecosystem of the Lower Zambezi. Her engagement with these women underscored a central theme of her tour: elevating the role of women in leadership, conservation, and community development. Beyond wildlife protection, the royal itinerary places significant emphasis on public health advocacy, particularly the prevention of avoidable sight loss and the eradication of gender-based violence. Partnering with organizations s