Our Bureau
Mumbai
Britain’s Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, arrived in Mumbai on February 2, 2025, marking the first official royal visit to India since 2019. This three-day visit aims to strengthen ties between the UK and India, focusing on education and youth empowerment through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
During his stay, Prince Edward is set to engage with young people participating in the award program, which promotes non-formal education and personal development. The award, established by his late father, Prince Philip, in 1956, is known in India as the International Award for Young People (IAYP). It has positively impacted over 150,000 students across 325 institutions since its inception in India in 1962.
Prince Edward met with Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and his itinerary includes meetings with various business leaders and philanthropists in Mumbai and Delhi. He expressed enthusiasm about enhancing collaboration between India and the UK in education, particularly vocational training. In addition to educational engagements, Prince Edward will participate in cultural events celebrating shared interests in sports and arts. His visit underscores the enduring relationship between the two nations, highlighted by a vibrant Indian diaspora of approximately 1.7 million living in the UK.
The British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, emphasized the significance of this visit as a reminder of the strong historical connections between the two countries. She noted that such engagements help address global challenges collaboratively. Prince Edward’s arrival is particularly noteworthy as it follows a hiatus of royal visits to India since King Charles III’s trip as Prince of Wales in November 2019. This visit also marks Edward’s first official engagement in India since becoming Duke of Edinburgh in 2023.
On Sunday evening, he attended a T20 cricket match between India and England at a local stadium, further fostering goodwill through sports—a shared passion between both nations. The Duke’s visit concludes on February 4, after which he will travel to Nepal to continue his royal duties. His engagements in India reflect a commitment to youth development and international cooperation, aiming to inspire young individuals to discover their potential through structured programs like the IAYP.
