The British Royal Family continues to confront the stigma surrounding leprosy, with Her Royal Highness Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, continuing a legacy of compassion and inclusion.
Anjali Wasti— a person with a lived experience of leprosy— was delighted to receive a warm greeting from Her Royal Highness Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, during her recent visit to Nepal.
Anjali, who is supported by The Leprosy Mission’s Tertiary Education Program (TLC Tertiary), shared her journey with leprosy and her dream of advocating for the community with the Duchess.
The memorable encounter occurred at Nepal’s British Embassy on the second evening of the Duke and Duchess’ five-day visit to Nepal this month.
Anjali was accompanied by Shovakhar Kandel, the Director of The Leprosy Mission (TLM) Nepal, who talked with the Duchess about TLM’s vital work at Anandaban Hospital, the challenges of rebuilding after the region’s recent landslide, and the long-standing ties between Nepal and the UK.
Anjali (left), Shovakhar Kandel, Director of The Leprosy Mission (TLM) Nepal (centre) with Her Royal Highness Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
The British Royal Family has long been committed to raising awareness about leprosy and confronting the misinformation and stigma that still accompany the ancient disease. Yet it is the late former Princess of Wales, Diana, who is best known for amplifying the plight of people affected by leprosy.
In November 1989, UK’s The Sun newspaper’s infamous headline pleaded, ‘Don‘t Do It, Di‘ ahead of the Princess’ trip to Indonesia.
Having already been briefed with accurate information by The Leprosy Mission’s long-term director, the late Reverend Tony Lloyd, and always attuned to the pain of those facing oppression and exclusion, Diana ignored the tabloid’s ignorant request. Instead, the Princess happily sat on the beds of leprosy patients at Sitanala Hospital, taking their hands in her hands and ensuring plenty of photographs were taken.
Princess Diana sitting with a leprosy patient.
Diana’s decisive inclusivity profoundly impacted one man behind a camera that day, photographer Arthur Edwards.
“All my life, I’ve grown up thinking there’s no cure. So, watching her holding this man’s hand—he lost all his fingers— and looking into his eyes, that was very, very moving,” he said.
Between now and then, although leprosy stigma is ‘still a thing’ in much of the world, significant inroads have been made. Thanks to the combined efforts of influencers across a diverse range of communities, all playing an important role towards zero leprosy discrimination.
