The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have conducted their first joint overseas visit of 2025 to Nepal, making it the first time the couple have visited the country
The visit celebrated the close ties between the UK and Nepal, and reinforced shared interests including youth opportunity, healthcare, equality for women and girls, conservation and biodiversity. Prince Edward and Sophie will also attend the annual attestation parade in Pokhara, where the British Army will join young Nepal service personnel.
Day One
Edward and Sophie’s first engagement saw them meet President Ram Chandra Paudel and First Lady Sabita Paudel at Rastrapati Bhawan, the Presidential Palace in Kathmandu, where they discussed their inaugural visit to the Himalayan nation.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in Nepal. (UK in Nepal)
As part of the formalities, the royal couple signed the guest book in front of a striking photograph of Mount Everest.
During the signing, Prince Edward expressed his admiration for the iconic image, remarking, “that is rather special, isn’t it?” Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh lightheartedly commented, “that’s as close as I’m going to get, sadly… this time.”
For the occasion, Sophie looked elegant in a Mary Katrantzou satin floral dress, featuring teal and gold detailing, which she complemented with nude Jimmy Choo heels and a Matelier vintage bag.

Edward and Sophie signed the visitor’s book at the (UK in Nepal)
Day Two
On the second day of the official royal tour, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited Maiti Nepal, a renowned organisation that supports survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence. The visit marked a special connection to the past, as King Charles had also visited the refuge in 1998, then as the Prince of Wales.
As the Duchess met with women who have found safety and support at Maiti Nepal, two of the residents, Pampha Adhakari and Pusba Thapa, shared their memories of meeting the King over 25 years ago. In response, Sophie warmly reassured them: “That’s beautiful, you’re very clever. I shall give that to him with your love. He’ll be very pleased to get it.”
Founded by Anuradha Koirala in 1993, Maiti Nepal has played a crucial role in protecting and rehabilitating survivors of trafficking and exploitation.
During King Charles’ visit in 1998, he met with Ms. Koirala and later auctioned a painting in the UK to raise funds for the organisation. The proceeds helped Maiti Nepal purchase additional land and expand its safe home, ensuring more women and children could receive protection.
The Duchess of Edinburgh was given an embroidered cushion for The King by Anita Shrestha, who met The King as a child, during her visit to the Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu, Nepal today.
📸 Yui mok
📹 Emily Ferguson pic.twitter.com/uLlGFvEtAL— 🌻Sarahsecret (@sarahdiaryz) February 5, 2025
Sophie was given a tour of the site, where she saw the women’s kitchen facilities. Upon learning that peanut butter was a favourite among the residents, she smiled and recalled, “I used to eat that as a child.”
At the Mother Teresa School, part of Maiti Nepal’s site, the Duchess observed music lessons and watched a traditional dance performance by the children, witnessing firsthand how education and creative expression aid in healing.
The Duchess of Edinburgh was given an embroidered cushion for The King by Anita Shrestha, who met The King as a child, during her visit to the Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu, Nepal today.
📸 Yui mok
📹 Emily Ferguson pic.twitter.com/uLlGFvEtAL— 🌻Sarahsecret (@sarahdiaryz) February 5, 2025
Earlier in the day, Sophie visited Bhaktapur Hospital’s Maternity Wing, where she met new mothers and congratulated them on their newborn babies. She later attended a lunch with Nepali women’s rights activists at Dwarika’s Hotel, where she dined on local delicacies
👶🏻
The Duchess of Edinburgh met with some mothers and babies in the post operative care centre during a visit to the maternity wing of Bhaktapur Hospital, in Dudhpati, Nepal today.
📸 Yui Mok pic.twitter.com/S6wC9OHQ1d
— 🌻Sarahsecret (@sarahdiaryz) February 5, 2025
Meanwhile, The Duke met young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. His Royal Highness also handed over an ‘Operator Licence’ for the organisation delivering the Awards in Nepal, which has been granted for the first time.
During the visit, Edward watched a performance by young Nepalis and listened to a speech from a young Nepali Gold Award recipient, before making a short speech himself.
Edward then visited the Unesco World Heritage Site in Bhaktapur, which was visited in 2016 by Prince Harry following the 2015 earthquake. Edward was shown how the monuments have been restored since then.
Later that evening, after a full day of solo engagements, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh reunited to attend a reception focused on the achievements of young people, which was held at the UK Ambassador’s residence.
Day Three
It was a day of joint engagements for Their Royal Highnesses on their third day their official royal tour of Nepal with a day filled with meaningful engagements, from planting trees in a historic botanical garden to addressing climate concerns and honouring Gurkha veterans.
In a touching tribute to the late Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke and Duchess, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year, planted a magnolia tree in the Godawari National Botanic Garden, just metres away from two trees planted by Edward’s parents during their visit to Nepal in 1986.
As he admired the now-thriving trees planted by the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh nearly 40 years ago, Prince Edward remarked, ‘gosh, they’ve done very, very well’.
With lighthearted encouragement from his wife, who cheered him on with, ‘keep going, darling’, Edward picked up a spade to fill in the hole for the new tree. The Duke laughed as he called it ‘the best bit of exercise I’ve had in ages’, The couple then took turns watering the young magnolia, with the Duchess joking, ‘this is going to make all the difference’.
The couple then visited the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development’s Living Mountain Lab, where there the Duchess raised concerns about the environmental impact of climbing tourism on Mount Everest.
After learning that the average climber leaves behind approximately 8kgs of waste and that many opt to pay fines rather than carry their trash back, Sophie questioned whether any of the fees paid by climbers were allocated toward addressing the issue. ‘People leave everything behind, and it has a huge impact’, she said.
The Duke acknowledged the difficulty, explaining that climbers often have to descend quickly to make way for those still ascending. Sophie, however, pointed out a flaw in the process ‘but they don’t collect it on the way down again’. The Duchess described the situation as ‘a very visible manifestation of human impact’, reinforcing the importance of sustainable tourism and conservation efforts.
Later in the day, Edward and Sophie traveled to the lakeside city of Pokhara, where they visited the welfare centre of the Gurkha Welfare Trust. They met elderly veterans and widows who have received support from the charity, which provides pensions and medical assistance to former Gurkha soldiers and their families.
Among those they met was 104-year-old Ash Kamari Tamang, who moved to the welfare centre in 2011 after struggling to care for herself. Her late husband, a Gurkha soldier who served during World War II, had received a pension from the trust until his passing in 2006. When asked by Prince Edward if the centre was taking good care of her, she warmly responded, ‘They must be doing a very good job’.
The Duke also spoke with 99-year-old Burma war veteran Bar Bahadur Gurung, who suffered a severe hand injury during combat when a Japanese soldier struck him with a sword. Moved by his story, Edward expressed his gratitude, saying, ‘thank you for what you did. We appreciate it’.
Day Four
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended the annual attestation parade at the British Gurkha Camp marking the culmination of an intense and highly competitive selection process, where only 274 recruits out of a staggering 13,000 applicants earned the honour of joining the elite Brigade of Gurkhas.
Prince Edward urged the new recruits to take pride in their dual identity as “a soldier in the British army but a son of Nepal.” The royal couple’s presence underscored the long-standing and deep-rooted relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal, as they continued their official tour of the Himalayan nation.
During the ceremony, the recruits took their solemn oath of allegiance, saluting a portrait of Charles III and touching the Union flag in a symbolic commitment to their new roles. The event was a poignant moment for the young Nepalis who had successfully navigated the arduous selection process, as well as for their families who had gathered to witness the proud occasion. Some families had traveled as long as 18 hours to attend, reflecting the immense significance of the milestone. The Duke acknowledged their dedication, telling one family, “You must be feeling very proud as well. He’s done very well to do this.”
During the parade, Edward gave a speech where he thanked the new recruits ‘for choosing to serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army, and thank you for swearing allegiance to His Majesty’.
‘You are now a Gurkha. One amongst only 274 new Gurkhas from over 13,000 potential recruits this year. This has been one of the greatest challenges of your lives. You deserve to feel very proud of your achievement. You are joining a regimental family with strong traditions and a reputation for loyalty, service and courage’.
“Gurkhas have served the crown for over 209 years. This now becomes your heritage and your responsibility to uphold’.
His Royal Highness noted that the selection process ‘has been hard and the competition very intense’, but they ‘met the very highest standards to serve as a Gurkha’ to which his was very impressed.
‘You are now a Gurkha. One amongst only 274 new Gurkhas from over 13,000 potential recruits this year. This has been one of the greatest challenges of your lives. You deserve to feel very proud of your achievement’
‘You will be living and serving a long way from home, which makes your decision even more impressive, and again, on behalf of King Charles and all the British people, we really do thank you and admire your decision. Finally, always remember, you are a soldier in the British army, but you are a son of Nepal. Be proud of both.’
The parade was led by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, who added a musical touch to the celebrations. The event was a testament to the resilience and determination of the recruits, who will now proceed to the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) in Catterick, UK, where they will undergo an intensive nine-month training program to prepare them for their military careers.
As part of the ceremony, Edward and Sophie also had the honour of presenting 38 Coronation Medals and two long service and good conduct medals to Gurkha staff. Their engagement with the recruits extended beyond formalities, as they took time to inspect the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas and personally congratulate the new riflemen.
Adding a modern twist to tradition, the band performed two songs by Lady Gaga, an unexpected but well-received musical tribute that enlivened the proceedings. The parade also incorporated Buddhist and Hindu prayers, emphasising the recruits’ cultural heritage before they swore their oaths.
Day Five
The fifth day of the visit to Nepal saw The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh embark on a trek through Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area, immersing themselves in the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region.
Day Six
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh concluded their official visit to Nepal with a culturally rich experience in the village of Ghandruk. This village, located in central Nepal and overlooking the Himalayas, has a historic connection to the Gurkhas, renowned soldiers from Nepal who serve in the British Army.
Upon their arrival, the royal couple received a warm and traditional welcome from the local community. Villagers, adorned in colorful attire and carrying flowers, greeted them by placing yellow garlands around their necks. As they walked through the village, Edward and Sophie passed under a floral arch bearing a sign that read: “Welcome to Ghandruk TRHs the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.”
The Duke and Duchess participated in a traditional welcome ceremony, during which they were presented with Khadas scarves by the principal of a local school, accompanied by musical performances. They were also gifted traditional garments; Sophie donned a ghalek, a vibrant shawl worn across the body, while Edward received the male equivalent, known as a bhangra. The couple clapped along to a performance of traditional Gurung dance by a local youth club, immersing themselves in the local culture.
Following the ceremony, Edward and Sophie visited the Ghandruk Cultural Museum, where they explored exhibits showcasing the rich history and heritage of the Gurung community. Their visit highlighted the enduring relationship between the UK and Nepal, particularly through the legacy of the Gurkhas.
Throughout their 6-day visit, the royal couple engaged in various activities that underscored the deep-rooted ties between the United Kingdom and Nepal, focusing on cultural exchange, environmental conservation, and support for the Gurkha community.
The Duke of Sussex was the last member of the Royal Family to visit Nepal in 2016, one year after the earthquake that killed about 9,000 people. Whilst King Charles visited Nepal in 1998 during his time as Prince of Wales, with his late parents visiting the country in 1986 and 1961.