KATHMANDU, JANUARY 14
Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward from the British Royal family will visit Nepal next month, kicking off their first international tour of 2025.
As per the Royal Family's official website, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Nepal in the first week of February to mark a state visit to the South Asian nation.
Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, will visit India on February 2, as chairman of the DofE's International Award Foundation. "Then, the royal couple will arrive in Kathmandu for a five-day visit to Nepal on February 4."
Though the details about the royal couple's upcoming visit are still under the wraps, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend the attestation parade for new Gurkha recruits at British Gurkha Camp in Pokhara on February 7. During their stay in Pokhara, they will meet the new Gurkha recruits and their family members.
In recent times, British Gurkhas have not only served in the UK but also been deployed in Cyprus, Macedonia, Romania, Germany, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. The Gurkhas have served in the British army for over 200 years and have a reputation for being brave and tenacious fighters.
During their five-day visit, the royal family members are scheduled to meet the high-level Nepali government officials and families of Gurkha veterans and they will also inspect the United Kingdom-funded development projects in Nepal.
According to sources, preparations are under way to take Edward and Sophie for mountain flight in the Mt Everest region. "They will also trek to the Ghandruk area exploring the Annapurna foothills," sources added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the visit of British royal family members and said that it would only publish the details of their travel itinerary after consulting with the British Embassy in Kathmandu in a couple of weeks.
"British royalty has a great attachment with people of Nepal and such a high-level visit demonstrates
the importance given by the UK to its historical relations with Nepal," MoFA officials said.
Earlier, Prince Harry had visited Nepal in March 2016 for 11 days and travelled to Kathmandu, Bardiya and Pokhara. Prince Philip had also visited Nepal in 2000.
