The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit to the Czech Republic
The youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie visited the Czech Republic from 12 - 14 March.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex
A rich two-day programme was prepared for the royal couple, including visits to educational and social institutions, support for British fashion and food brands in the Czech Republic and activities related to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. The programme also included a visit to Prague Castle to meet new president Miloš Zeman, for whom it was the first official foreign visit in this role.
Prince Edward started his visit by presenting certificates to talented young people who are involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Scheme, including pupils from the Prague British School. Their Royal Highnesses also supported the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation by attending their fundraising gala dinner.
Countess Sophie visited the Czech-British Sue Ryder Home for elderly people, the foundation of which was directly inspired by, and named after, a British baroness and supported by students of the British Council Prague during their short performance inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.
The couple went on to visit the Pod Palmovkou theatre (in Prague) to watch a rehearsal of the British drama The King’s Speech. Their Royal Highnesses also visited the Jedlickuv Institute where they took a tour of the complex, met children and staff and planted a fir tree in honour of the 100-year anniversary of the Institute.
The wider programme included a reception at the British Embassy, which featured a presentation of British fashion. Successful brands, such as Alexander McQueen, Victoria Beckham, Karen Millen, T.M. Lewin, Mulberry, Jimmy Choo Shoes and many others were included in the presentation.
The culmination of their Royal Highnesses’ visit programme was a grand lunch promoting British cuisine and high-quality British food and ingredients. The lunch menu created by the ambassador’s personal chef included such delights as Scottish salmon, Suffolk lamb and caramelized Earl Grey custard. British food and drink products which were presented at the event included Hawkshead Relish jams, Taylors of Harrogate tea, Walkers biscuits, Green & Black’s chocolates, single malt Scotch whisky and products from tea and coffee specialist Whittard of Chelsea.