Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife, Princess Sophie, embarked on a landmark week-long private visit to Nepal on Tuesday, underscoring the enduring diplomatic and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and the Himalayan nation.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophia arrived in Nepal at 10: 30 am. The Prince will meet President Ram Chandra Poudel at his residence.
The visit, the first high-profile foreign delegation to Nepal in 2025, highlights the UK’s commitment to its historical relationship with Nepal, particularly through the legacy of the Gurkha soldiers and ongoing development partnerships.
Prince Edward arrived in Kathmandu from Delhi, where he had been visiting India, while Princess Sophie traveled separately from London. The couple’s agenda includes engagements at schools and hospitals in Kathmandu supported by UK-funded initiatives, as well as a visit to Pokhara to meet families of British Gurkha veterans.
The royal pair will also inspect developmental projects financed by the UK, reflecting Britain’s role as one of Nepal’s top development partners. A highlight of their trip includes a planned mountain flight over the Everest region and a trek through the Annapurna foothills near the village of Ghandruk, showcasing Nepal’s natural beauty.
A key pillar of the visit is celebrating the 200-year-old bond between the British Army and Nepal’s Gurkha soldiers, renowned for their bravery. Over 200,000 Gurkhas have served in the British Army since 1815, with deployments spanning Cyprus, Asia-Pacific nations, and Europe. In Pokhara, the royals will connect with veterans’ families, acknowledging their sacrifices and continued role in bilateral ties.
“The British royalty has a profound attachment to Nepal,” stated a Nepalese Foreign Ministry official. “This visit reaffirms the UK’s respect for our shared history and its commitment to strengthening partnerships in development and beyond.”
The Duke and Duchess’s trip follows a tradition of British royal engagements in Nepal. Prince Edward’s brother, King Charles III, visited multiple times as Prince of Wales, including in 1975 for King Birendra’s coronation. Prince Harry’s 2016 tour and the late Prince Philip’s 2000 visit further cemented this legacy. Notably, King Charles III’s coronation in 2023 saw Nepalese Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud representing the country, signaling ongoing mutual respect.
Beyond diplomatic talks, the royals’ itinerary emphasizes cultural connectivity. Their planned mountain flight and trekking excursion align with Nepal’s efforts to promote tourism, a critical sector for its economy.
As the youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and 15th in line to the throne, Prince Edward’s visit bridges Nepal’s storied past with contemporary collaborations. From the 1923 Treaty of Friendship recognizing Nepal’s sovereignty to modern-day educational and environmental projects, the UK-Nepal relationship remains multifaceted.
