TRHs Baltic tour continues today, with a royal visit to Latvia. The itinerary, this past couple of days has been incredibly busy, packed with engagements. Today The Earl and Countess of Wessex started their day at the airport in Riga, where they were welcomed by dignitaries. For tiny video of arrival, click here.
The visit is devoted to the centenary of the Latvian state and it will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, where the issues of security and economic cooperation, as well as issues of the Latvian diaspora, are of particular importance.
From the airport, TRHs went to the Riga Castle, where they were officially welcomed by His Excellency the President of Latvia, Mr Raimonds Vējonis and Mrs Iveta Vējone. Raimonds Vējonis is a Latvian biologist and politician, and the President of Latvia since 8 July 2015.
Before that, he was the Minister of Defence of Latvia and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development for almost nine years, and he was a MP of the Saeima (Latvian Parliament) as well. The First Lady of Latvia studied at Liepaja Pedagogical Institute in the specialty of primary school teacher.
After graduation of the Institute, she worked as a primary school teacher in Madona Secondary School No. 1. Similarly to the Countess, First Lady supports projects in the area of education and social support and support for children (direct quote from official website), including children with special needs and children left without parental care.
After official ceremony at the castle, The Earl and Countess accompanied by the President and First Lady of Latvia arrived at the Freedom Monument to attend in a Flower Laying Ceremony commemorating those who fought in the conflict. The Freedom Monument honours soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920). It is considered an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of Latvia.
The sculptures and bas-reliefs of the monument, arranged in thirteen groups, depict Latvian culture and history. The core of the monument is composed of tetragonal shapes on top of each other, decreasing in size towards the top, completed by a 19-metre high travertine column bearing the copper figure of Liberty lifting three gilded stars.
From the monument, The Earl, Countess, President and First Lady went to the National Library of Latvia, where a book donation ceremony was held. Their Royal Highnesses donated a book on the History of Windsor Castle and a book on Sustainable Fashion Industry to the People’s Bookshelf – an initiative that was started during Riga’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2014.
“It’s a pleasure to be here on this very important occasion to mark your centenary” – said The Earl of Wessex. In 2019 the library will celebrate its 100th birthday and hopes to have 15,000 books on the ‘People’s Bookshelf’. People’s Bookshelf is located in the atrium of the National Library of Latvia and is one of the central elements of the building.
Bookshelf is as high as a five-storey house and stores books donated to the National Library of Latvia. To learn more about this campaign, click here. Royal visitors, during their visit have taken a look at items from the National Library. The National Library of Latvia also known as Gaismas Pils (Castle of Light) was formed in 1919 after the independent Republic of Latvia was proclaimed in 1918.
The core functions of the National Library of Latvia (NLL) are the collection of national literature, its perpetual storage and the long-term provision of access to it. The NLL collection (4.5 million units) embraces all branches of knowledge, the fundamental profile being Social Science and the Humanities. The mission of the NLL is to promote a creative use of cultural and scientific heritage supporting the growth of Latvia.
Then TRHs went their separate ways, Prince Edward attended a Lunch at the National Library of Latvia. He also took part in a presentation of the youth programme The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Latvia to employers and met British Embassy Riga cooperation partners to hear about plans to commemorate the UK’s role in Latvia’s fight for independence 1918-1920.
Meanwhile, The Countess of Wessex visited Riga TechGirls at the OraculeTang Space – the first community in Latvia dedicated to educating and inspiring girls & women about technology. There, HRH attended a Royal VIP lunch and took part in an interesting discussion on mechanisms how to promote gender balance in tech. This event was organized by the British Embassy in Riga.
Then, The Countess, as Patron of London College of Fashion, visited social enterprise OWA Fashion which creates high-quality clothes, providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and those who may struggle in full-time work. It’s the first brand in Latvia that offers clothing with watercolor prints. During her visit, The Countess was able to print a piece of such clothing herself.
Finally, HRH visited the social enterprise, BlindArt, who creates employment opportunities for people with visual impairments. BlindArt is a social business platform with goal to bring awareness to visually impaired and blind people. Since 2007, through its creative workshops, BlindArt has helped over 300 people gain an income through producing original design objects. To learn more about this organization, please visit this link.
At BlindArt, HRH had an opportunity to help in creation of BurBur bag, which according to the website is ‘100% hand-produced whose unique 3D cloth is prepared by sightless talents in Latvia’. The Countess of Wessex works with a number of sight-related charities. For now, that’s all. I hope I covered everything that was important. To scroll through everything, sorting pics, info, links took me like 4 hours!
In the evening The Earl of Wessex and The Countess of Wessex attended a Dinner at Riga Castle hosted by the President of Latvia and the First Lady.
PS, yesterday’s post has been updated on the evening engagement. For more pictures of today’s visit click here. For video, click here.
Outfit & jewellery:
Jacquard coat by Erdem in style of Kristen Coat Dress. I cannot find HRH’s specific colour online, only dress – here.
Earrings by Lucia Odescalchi made of essonite with on top a dome made in hyaline quartz
Watch by Chanel.
Clutch by Sophie Habsburg Design.
Dior Galbe pumps.
evening:
Estrella cap sleeve gown by Galvan, I know Sophie has worn it once before.
“Brilliant” earrings by Heavenly Necklaces. Sold out.
Watch by Chanel.
Some additional ring.
Tennis bracelet possibly by Heavenly Necklaces.
Sophie Habsburg bag in Amber style.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 
Not so fond of the black and purple embossed dress. I much prefer seeing Sophie in more streamline and fitted dresses. Dresses with so much material seem to make her look frumpy and so matronly. They don’t show off her wonderful figure. I absolutely do so love her black shoes. These shoes are so different to what she normally wears.
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Sophie wore that coat dress on Christmas 2017. Love it.
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I agree with Wendie-Anne. Sophie has a wonderful figure, and she suits the streamlined dresses, were as the Erdem swamps her bit. The evening dress (swoon!) and her hair, gorgeous !
As a footnote, read today that the lovely Lady Louise and James Viscount Severn will be playing a part in Princess Eugenie’s wedding party ! 🙂
It’s been a busy time for you Anna, with the Wessex’s being on Royal tours. So thank you for all your hard work in compiling these wonderful posts, that we all get so much joy from ! x
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Anna, your blog is absolutely the best! As much as we love the fashion of our favourite royal lady, you delve deeply into the background of the causes she supports, as well. I always learn something from reading your blogs, and I greatly appreciate the work you put into them!
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Thank you!
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