POKHARA: British Prince Edward and his wife Sophie are currently in Pokhara. The royal couple arrived at Pokhara International Airport on Thursday and made an appearance before newly recruited British Gurkha soldiers on Friday.
At a ceremony held at the British Camp at Deep in Pokhara-16, the surprise presence of the British royal couple met the 274 newly recruited youths and their family members. The families expressed their happiness, stating that their sons and grandsons were now under the care of the British government, which assured them of a secure future.
While acknowledging the greetings from everyone, the royal couple said being selected among thousands of competitors was a significant achievement. They urged the Nepali recruits to take pride in this accomplishment.
This year, over 13,000 youths competed for recruitment, out of which 274 were selected.
The selected recruits were formally inducted in the presence of the royal couple, taking an oath to remain loyal, faithful, and duty-bound to King Charles III of the United Kingdom. They also presented a parade during the ceremony. Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie observed the annual attestation parade and interacted directly with the families of the recruits.
British Ambassador Rob Fenn, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Major General GM Strickland, and other officials were present on the occasion.
The 274 successful candidates will join the Brigade of Gurkhas after completing a year-long selection process. They will then undergo nine months of training at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) in Catterick, UK.
The royal couple also observed the support provided by the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) through its Area Welfare Centres (AWCs) to former Gurkha soldiers and their families in Nepal. The GWT has been providing housing and other assistance to 20 of the most vulnerable ex-Gurkha soldiers and their widows.
The royal couple’s itinerary includes visiting various tourist areas in Kaski. According to police sources, the couple hiked from Lumle on Friday and stayed overnight in Chandrakot. They are scheduled to visit the tourist village of Ghachowk on Saturday. On Thursday, they checked in at Tiger Mountain Lodge.
Nepal and the United Kingdom share a 200-year-old relationship. Members of the British royal family have visited Nepal at various times, contributing to strengthening the cordial relationship between the two countries.
Prince Edward is the youngest brother of King Charles III.
