KATHMANDU, Feb 5: The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrived in Nepal on Tuesday, marking their first official visit to the country. The trip aims to celebrate the enduring ties between the UK and Nepal while looking ahead to the next generation of friendship.
Shortly after their arrival in Kathmandu, the royal couple paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel. Discussions at Shital Niwas focused on the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations, with particular emphasis on the Gurkhas' historic contribution to the British Army.
During the meeting, Major General Strickland DSO MBE, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas, presented the annual report on the Brigade to President Paudel. The British Embassy in Kathmandu described this report as a key element of the UK’s commitment to transparency with Nepal, reinforcing a partnership that has spanned over two centuries.
British royal couple arriving in Nepal today
In a statement, the Embassy said the visit would honour the UK-Nepal relationship while highlighting the aspirations of a new generation. “The Duke and Duchess will pay tribute to our shared history, including the Gurkha legacy, experience Nepal’s rich culture, and meet young people involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. They will also witness UK-backed progress in maternal healthcare and engage with women leaders and activists,” it said.
During the meeting, President Paudel discussed the issue of climate change with the visiting prince and emphasized the need for collective efforts to tackle the issue.
"Climate change has become the world's main concern today. Nepal, which has been directly affected by climate change, has been raising the issue of mountain conservation prominently at various international forums," President Paudel's press advisor, Kiran Pokharel, quoted him as saying.
Throughout their visit, the royal couple will meet a diverse range of people representing the UK-Nepal partnership – the country’s oldest bilateral relationship. Following last year’s centenary of the UK-Nepal Treaty of Friendship, the visit will explore how the partnership is evolving. This includes meeting participants of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and observing UK-Nepal development projects in maternal health and economic development.
The itinerary also includes key engagements related to the 200-year Gurkha partnership. In Pokhara, the Duke and Duchess will attend the annual Attestation Parade, where young recruits join the British Army. They will also visit initiatives supported by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which provides assistance to veterans and their families.
This marks the fourteenth visit to Nepal by members of the British Royal Family. Previous visits include those by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1961 and 1986, and King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) in 1975, 1980, 1992, and 1998. The most recent visit was by Prince Harry in 2016.
