KATHMANDU: Prince Edward, the youngest brother of King Charles III, arrived in Nepal on Monday, last week, for a six-day visit with his wife, Sophie.

His visit highlights the enduring diplomatic relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom, which has lasted for over two centuries, bolstered by the contributions of the Gurkha soldiers and Britain’s role as a significant development partner.

Throughout the years, various British monarchs, princes, princesses, and other members of the royal family have visited Nepal.

While the British monarchy holds considerable prestige, with the king serving as head of state, appointing ministers, overseeing military matters, and approving parliamentary decisions, the country operates under a parliamentary system.

Another key aspect of Nepal-Britain relations is the Gurkha connection. The British royal family has long maintained close ties with the Gurkhas, even appointing them to prestigious positions within the royal household.”

Here, the prime minister holds executive power, while the royal family maintains a more symbolic role.

Despite the deep historical ties, however, no sitting British prime minister has ever visited Nepal in the 209 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A Relationship Rooted in History

Nepal and Britain established diplomatic relations with the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, which followed Nepal’s defeat in the Anglo-Nepal War (1814–1816).

At the time, Britain had yet to form diplomatic ties with several other nations.

Former Foreign Secretary Madan Bhattarai explains, “Prime ministerial and foreign ministerial visits are usually focused on specific strategic issues, while royal family visits are generally more ceremonial. Before 1990, Nepal’s monarchy held executive powers, while Britain’s was strictly constitutional. To maintain diplomatic balance, British royal visits were prioritized over government visits.”

Since the signing of the Sugauli Treaty, Britain has had 41 prime ministers, starting with Robert Banks Jenkinson in 1816 and continuing to the current prime minister, Keir Starmer. During the colonial era, five British prime ministers visited India.

After India’s independence in 1947, twelve more prime ministers visited, including Rishi Sunak in 2023. Yet, not a single British prime minister has ever visited Nepal.

British Royals Have Visited, But Not Their Prime Ministers

The first reigning British monarch to visit Nepal was King George V in 1911, during a brief stopover while in India for his coronation.

In 1921, Prince Edward VIII visited, followed by Queen Elizabeth II, who toured Nepal twice—in 1961 and 1986. King Charles III has visited Nepal three times before ascending to the throne.

Jhalak Subedi, author of The Nepali Face of the British Empire, explains, “In the past, Nepal’s monarchy handled foreign relations, making British royal visits more significant.

King Charles III visited Nepal as a prince and even went trekking. During his service in the British Army, he held the honorary position of Colonel-in-Chief of the Gurkha regiment.

Another key aspect of Nepal-Britain relations is the Gurkha connection. The British royal family has long maintained close ties with the Gurkhas, even appointing them to prestigious positions within the royal household.”

The Gurkha regiment has played a crucial role in strengthening Nepal-UK relations.

After the Sugauli Treaty allowed Nepali youth to join the British Army, hundreds of thousands of Gurkhas have served under the British flag, fighting in major wars. Many have lost their lives or suffered injuries.

The Gurkha regiments are deeply tied to the British monarchy. The 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles, 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, and Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles are all named after British royals. Queen Victoria herself had Gurkhas in her personal security detail, and although the tradition faded for some time, Queen Elizabeth II reinstated it, selecting two Gurkhas for her security during major events.

“The British royal family has always given special status to the Gurkhas,” says Subedi. “When it comes to Nepal, they prefer engaging through the palace and the military.”

From Hunting Expeditions to Philanthropy

During the Rana era, Nepal’s rulers sought to maintain strong ties with the British by inviting members of the royal family on hunting expeditions.

King George V, during his 1911 visit, was taken to the dense forests of Parsa and Thori for a hunting trip. He had previously visited Nepal as a prince in 1905, but a cholera outbreak prevented him from going on a hunt.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Nepal twice—first in 1961, just months after King Mahendra dissolved Nepal’s elected government and imposed the Panchayat system—and again in 1986, during heightened tensions between India and China.

While British royals have historically maintained close ties with Nepal—whether through state visits, military connections, or philanthropy—the absence of a single British prime ministerial visit in over 200 years raises questions about Nepal’s diplomatic engagement.

Some viewed her first visit as a tacit endorsement of King Mahendra’s political move.

King Charles III visited Nepal as a prince and even went trekking. During his service in the British Army, he held the honorary position of Colonel-in-Chief of the Gurkha regiment.

His son, Prince Harry, also served alongside the Gurkhas during the Afghanistan war and later visited Nepal in 2016, where he participated in post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Gorkha and assisted with wildlife conservation projects in Bardiya National Park.

“Royal visits symbolize goodwill,” says former Foreign Secretary Bhattarai.

“Many charities and social initiatives associated with the British royal family operate in Nepal. Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, was long associated with wildlife conservation organizations, and many royals worldwide are involved in philanthropic activities. Their visits bring international attention and support to Nepal.”

Why Have British Prime Ministers Ignored Nepal?

Despite the frequent visits by British royals, no sitting British prime minister has ever visited Nepal.

This stark contrast is particularly evident when compared to India and Bangladesh, where British prime ministers have visited multiple times.

Former Foreign Secretary Bhattarai views this as a diplomatic failure on Nepal’s part.

“We have not effectively communicated our significance to them,” Bhattarai told Nepal News. “If British prime ministers can visit India and Bangladesh but never Nepal, it indicates weaknesses in our diplomatic efforts.”