Duke, Duchess busy in meeting Award participants

 Kathmandu, Feb. 6

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, met a diverse range of participants undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The award gets funding from the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, of which the Duke is Chair of Trustees.

At the British Embassy, the Duke presented nineteen young Nepalis with the Gold Award (two were awarded in absentia) – the highest achievement in the award programme and a culmination of hard work and self-development by the young people.

The Award has been established in Nepal for ten years, has benefited over 6,000 young people through building lifelong skills and experiences, and is implemented by a team of over 500 volunteers, the British Embassy in Kathmandu informed in a statement.

According to the Embassy, the Duke also met young participants from a range of backgrounds – including young people from government schools, the scouts, SOS Children’s Villages, and those from underprivileged communities who benefit from the programme.

“To achieve Gold Award takes courage, commitment and tenacity – you should be exceptionally proud of what you’ve achieved,” he told the award winners.

Likewise, at a reception hosted British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, the Duke and Duchess – Sophie - met over 200 people representing the UK-Nepal friendship.

At the reception, Sue Layden – whose father was the first director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK and led the first successful Everest expedition - announced a new initiative that will support ten young people to do their Award expedition in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area where they will work with local schools and on a red panda conservation project.

This year 2025 marks the 70 years since the first assent of Kanchenjunga – 3^rd highest mountain in the world – by a British expedition that was funded by the Mount Everest Foundation established by Lord Hunt, who led the 1953 Everest expedition and became the first Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The British Embassy said that there are several plans to mark the occasion, including efforts to secure UNESCO biosphere protection of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. "The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award draws on Lord Hunt’s connections and will enable Gold participants to volunteer in and around Kanchenjunga. This will comprise funding for five young Nepalis and five young Brits whose adventure will help highlight environmental and sustainable development issues," read the statement.

The Award programme includes over 500 dedicated volunteers, implementing the awards in 105 institutions and centres across the country. It is a Non-Formal Education and Learning framework supporting young people to find their purpose, place and passion in the world, according to the Embassy.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are in Nepal in their maiden trip.

They will also see how UK support has helped Nepal’s improvements in maternal healthcare, and engage with women leaders and activists.

They will also attend the annual Attestation Parade in Pokhara where young men join the British Army, and observe how veterans and their dependents are supported by the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Their visit will conclude on Sunday.

This visit is the fourteenth 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. 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited in 1961 and 1986 while King Charles, as Prince of Wales, visited in 1975, 1980, 1992 and 1998. The most recent visit was by Prince Harry in 2016. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 February 2025.