Sophie helps wheelchair user onto a boat and shares heartfelt moment with eight-year-old during Antigua visit

The Countess of Wessex lent her support and warmth during a visit to the National Sailing Academy in Antigua and Barbuda. Sophie and her husband, the Earl of Wessex, engaged with the Sail-Ability programme, which introduces people with disabilities—particularly children—to sailing and water activities.

During her visit, Sophie sounded a loud horn to signal the start of a boat race involving Duke of Edinburgh students, reflecting on her own experience with hearing challenges by saying, “I didn’t value my hearing at all.”

She then assisted Alexzandrina Looby, a wheelchair user in her 40s, by carefully helping her into a boat using a winch system. Ms Looby was among the small group of participants benefiting from the programme, which the royal couple witnessed in action on Monday.

Before departing, Sophie received a card from eight-year-old Aleccai Brown, a pupil at Victory Centre, a non-profit special needs school in Antigua. The card, decorated with the island’s flag, read: “Welcome to Antigua… Edward and Sophie.” Sophie responded warmly, giving the young boy two hugs before continuing her day’s engagements.