The Duchess of Edinburgh has said tampons and sanitary pads should be kept ‘out of the closet’ to encourage more conversations about periods in the home.
Sophie, 59, a patron of Wellbeing of Women, was speaking during a visit to Harris Girls’ Academy in East Dulwich, London, to raise awareness of menstrual health issues.
During a workshop, as the largely female pupils discussed the question ‘what is a normal period?’, Sophie candidly revealed something of her own challenges as a senior working royal, telling the students: ‘When you have heavy periods worrying about when you stand up from a chair. That’s the worst one.’
Earlier she was met by Lynn Cooper, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London, who presented Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Chair of Wellbeing of Women and Women’s Health Ambassador.
Dame Lesley accompanied the duchess during the visit and led the workshop for girls aged 15-18.
Sophie Wessex visited Harris Girls’ Academy in East Dulwich, London, on Wednesday
Ms Tanya Simon-Hall, owner of the menstrual health education workshops Adeno Gang, held a ‘myth-buster talk’, to break down the taboos.
The duchess heard that some of the girls were aware of friends forced to stay at home during their periods because they couldn’t afford sanitary pads.
And she spoke to the girls about how period products and how tampon size related to flow rather than body shape.
She said: ‘If you were going to shopping and your friends are going for the mini and regular tampons are you going to feel self-conscious saying ‘I need the big guns’?
‘It’s not because the size of what you are thinking ‘Oh I must be really big down there’.’
She went on to say that period products should be on display at home rather than locked in a cupboard, saying: ‘Let’s get them out of the closet.’
The duchess told three boys, who joined the group for the end of the workshop, that they were ‘very brave’ for agreeing to talk about periods.
She said: ‘I think bringing boys into the conversation is very important. I’ve been to many countries around the world and other countries seem to be more progressive.’
Sophie was happy to pose for photos with students of Harris Girls’ Academy
The Duchess’ visit was intended to raise awareness of menstrual health issues
Sophie appeared in high spirits during the workshop at Harris Girls’ Academy in East Dulwich
The Duchess beams while holding a bouquet of flowers alongside pupils who attended the workshop
Sophie looked sophisticated in a tailored suit, topped with a Highgrove Heritage scarf designed by King Charles
One boy said his sister was ‘very moody’ before her periods.
Dame Lesley explained that this was caused by hormonal fluctuations, saying: ‘Hopefully you’ll be more sympathetic now, but I’m sure you were anyway.’
The duchess joked: ‘Just lock the knives away.’
When asked about the period products she used, Dame Lesley said was ‘happily menopausal’ to which the duchess replied: ‘Ditto!’
Tanya Simon-Hall, owner of Adeno Gang, which runs workshops about menstrual health in schools and colleges, said: ‘The duchess said: ‘Even I learnt something new’. They all got a takeaway from the session so they can go on and inform other people.’
Dame Lesley, the government’s ambassador for the Women’s Health Strategy and chair of Wellbeing of Women, said that girls need to be told about menstruation at a younger age.
She looked particularly elegant in a black suit, blue satin blouse and delicate jewellery
Sophie took part in a candid discussion about menstrual health at the East Dulwich school
Sophie smiled as she posed for photographs with students after the discussion
The Duchess of Edinburgh was glowing as she arrived at Harris Girls’ Academy in East Dulwich
Sophie got stuck in by handing sanitary products during the workshop in East Dulwich
‘Ten is now the average age that girls start to menstruate so they need to know about it earlier. Not masses of details but something to put over in a positive way.’
She added that she wanted every medical professional to ask about female patients’ periods, even if they are presenting with seemingly unrelated symptoms.
She added: ‘The duchess was very helpful on our campaign on the menopause two years ago and now with our campaign Just a Period we hope to make it something that everybody talks about – over the dinner table, the breakfast table, in the petrol station, even.
‘The duchess demonstrated that she is really open, receptive and, of course, she has a daughter, too.’
Janet Lindsay, chief executive of Wellbeing of Women, said: ‘My experience of seeing the duchess in these situations is that she is very good at making everyone feel comfortable.’