First Couple concludes official visit to the UK

The First Couple of Maldives have concluded their official visit to the United Kingdom.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed concluded their official visit to the United Kingdom and returned to Male' on Thursday.

President Solih and First Lady Fazna, travelled to London to attend the state funeral for the late Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The funeral service and the associated ceremonial arrangements were organized in a way to pay tribute to the Queen’s extraordinary reign and remarkable life of service to her nation and the Commonwealth.

The state funeral service at Westminster Abbey, London, were attended by foreign dignitaries including those from the Commonwealth and British Overseas Territories, alongside members of the Royal Family and the general public.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed also attended a reception hosted by James Cleverly, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom.

On Sunday, the Maldivian First Couple paid their last respects to the late Queen. As such, they wrote separate messages in the ‎Book of Condolences opened at Lancaster House, London.

They conveyed sincere condolences to King Charles III, the royal family, the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations.

The late Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.

Following her demise, the Maldives observed three days of mourning with the national flag flown at half-mast.

The late Queen Elizabeth II received the Maldives’ highest honour, the Grand Order of the Distinguished Rule of Ghaazee.