The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (QEDJT), created in 2012, aimed to fight avoidable blindness in the Commonwealth. Since the very start, Sophie has been a passionate and powerful ambassador, crisscrossing the country and globe to advocate to end avoidable blindness. Her personal experiences with her children, particularly Lady Louise’s early challenges with Esotropia, have fueled her dedication to supporting charities like Seeing Is Believing, the Vision Foundation, and Orbis UK. We are so very fortunate to have HRH Princess Beatrice very recently join Borne as our royal patron. This medical research charity has focused their efforts on ending premature birth. Her commitment is proof of the kind of dedication to bold and courageous causes that Sophie’s been an example of.
Sophie’s passion for eye health advocacy is rooted in personal experience. As their daughter Athena grew up, she noticed her daughter was born with a prominent squint in one eye.
“Her squint was quite profound when she was tiny,” – Sophie
Today, Athena’s eyesight is perfect. Lady Louise was born with Esotropia. She had surgery the day before her first birthday and a second corrective procedure in 2014 to restore her sight. These experiences have led Sophie to advocate for organizations focused on eye health and blindness prevention.
Sophie’s dedication hasn’t gone unrecognized around the world. In keeping with her calling, she has since been named the Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Her work has tremendously boosted awareness and action for eliminating avoidable blindness.
Alongside this, Princess Beatrice has supported medical research by allowing her name to be the patron of Borne. Her experience with Borne began soon after she gave birth to her daughter, Athena. This timing serves to highlight her profound personal passion for the cause.
“Nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise your baby is going to arrive early. There’s so little control,” – Princess Beatrice
Her involvement with Borne further demonstrates her authentic dedication to health and wellness initiatives. This reflects Sophie’s long term commitment to issues affecting people with visual impairment.
Princess Beatrice recently attended Borne’s Wonderland event, just weeks after welcoming her daughter Athena into the world with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
“Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi We welcomed Baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect. We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her. Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena.” – Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
