KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 4
Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis, and his wife, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel today.
According to a press release issued by the President's Secretariat, during the meeting, discussions took place on the existing relations between Nepal and the UK, mutual interests, and areas of common concern.
On the occasion, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Major General G. M. Strickland, also presented the annual report of the Brigade of Gurkhas for the year 2024 to the President.
President Paudel expressed gratitude to the UK government for presenting the report, saying that the British-Gurkha connection is a key link in the bilateral relationship and has played an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties between Nepal and the UK.
In his meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh, President Paudel emphasized that climate change was one of the world's most pressing issues and everyone must work together to address this problem.
According to President Paudel's Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel, the President told the Duke of Edinburgh that climate change has become a major concern globally, and Nepal, which has been directly impacted by it, has consistently raised the issue of mountain conservation at international platforms. President Paudel told the British Royal guest that Nepal was set to launch the Sagarmatha Dialogue to highlight the case of climate change. The first edition of this forum will be held in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18, under the theme "Climate Change, the Himalayas, and the future of humanity."
Recalling the state visits to Nepal by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1961, President Paudel said the visits of British royal family members over the years have helped strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries.
"Nepal and the United Kingdom have had close ties for centuries, and I express gratitude for the UK's ongoing support in Nepal's overall development," President Paudel said adding that the UK was Nepal's important development partner.
The President also extended his best wishes for the personal happiness and health of King Charles on behalf of the Nepalese people.
Earlier today, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie, arrived in Kathmandu for their visit to Nepal.
During the meeting, Prince Edward expressed his hope that he would, through his visit, learn about the impact of climate change in Nepal and Nepal's efforts to mitigate it. He also mentioned that he was eager to understand the environmental risks and the effects of climate change on the Himalayas.
Prince Edward said that strengthening cooperation between Nepal and the UK in the future would be particularly relevant in the areas of youth and women's empowerment. He thanked Nepal for its support in British Army recruitment saying that the British Gurkha army was the milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
The President also expressed his belief that positive discussions were happening at the bilateral mechanism established to address certain legitimate concerns raised by former British Gurkhas.
On the occasion, the wife of Duke of Edinburgh, Sophie, and British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn were also present.
British Embassy also issued a press release saying that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are making their first visit to Nepal which will celebrate the proud history of UK-Nepal relations as well as the new generation of young people who represent the future. They will salute our shared history, including the proud sense of service through the Gurkha relationship, see Nepal's beauty and culture, meet young people benefiting from participating in the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards, see how UK support has helped Nepal's improvements in maternal healthcare, and engage with women leaders and activists, the British Embassy said in its release.
Throughout the visit, the Duke and Duchess will meet a diverse range of people who represent the UK-Nepal partnership – Nepal's oldest bilateral relationship.
Following on from the celebration last year of 100 years of the UK-Nepal Treaty of Friendship, they will see how the next 100 years of friendship is developing. This includes seeing how the Duke of Edinburgh International Award is helping young people develop new skills and experiences.
They will also see some of the UK - Nepal development partnership in maternal health and in economic development. Their visit will also allow them to see important parts of the 200+ year Gurkha partnership – from attending the annual Attestation Parade in Pokhara where young men join the British Army, through to seeing how veterans and their dependants are supported by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, British Embassy stated in its release.
The Embassy said the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh paid a courtesy call on Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel. The bilateral meeting highlighted the warmth and depth of UK-Nepal historic ties as well as the great respect that exists in the UK for the role of the Gurkhas as the cornerstone of the relationship.
This visit is the 14th visit to Nepal by members of the British Royal family, which over the years have celebrated and reinforced the close ties between the two nations.
King Charles, as Prince of Wales, visited Nepal in 1975, 1980, 1992 and 1998. The most recent visit was by Prince Harry in 2016.