First Couple concludes official visit to the UK

The First Couple has concluded their official visit to the United Kingdom.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed returned to Maldives following the conclusion of their official visit to the UK on Monday.

The Maldivian First Couple’s visit to the UK was to attend the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

As part of the visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid ed a coronation breakfast on Friday representing Maldives on behalf of President Solih.

The event was held for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), International Development Partners, and International Organizations.

Hosted at Lancaster House, London, the breakfast was hosted to mark the UK government’s commitment to a successful Fourth International Conference on SIDS in 2024.

The SIDS breakfast held as part of King Charles III's coronation celebrations was joined by representatives from several countries and international organizations.

On Friday, President Solih participated in the Commonwealth Leaders Event held at Marlborough House, London.

The Commonwealth Leaders Event commemorated the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which coincides with the Commonwealth Year of Youth, the Commonwealth Year of Peace and in particular, the coronation of the new Head of the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Leaders Event provided an exceptional opportunity for the Commonwealth leaders to come together with King Charles III ahead of the coronation and welcome him as the new Head of the Commonwealth.

The event saw Commonwealth leaders reflecting on their shared values and speaking about the future of the Commonwealth. The discussion primarily revolved around the potential of Commonwealth Youth to take forward the Commonwealth Charter on issues such as peace and sustainable development.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government and their representatives posed together for an official photograph with His Majesty King Charles III, following the event.

Further, during the visit FL Fazna attended a 'Fireside Chat' at Marlborough House in London as well.

The event, held for the spouses and partners of Commonwealth Heads of Government, focused on the theme of 'Inspiring Change to Accelerate Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Commonwealth'.

The discussion was led by the First Lady of Rwanda Jeanette Kagame.

The objective of the discussion was for the spouses and partners of Commonwealth Leaders to come together and discuss creating awareness regarding the prevalence of cervical cancer within the Commonwealth and to inspire action to eliminate it.

This event coincided with the Commonwealth Leaders Event chaired by President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame, attended by President Solih alongside other Commonwealth Heads of Government.

The First Couple also attended a Reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, alongside other Commonwealth Heads of Government among the Overseas Representatives.

On Saturday, the First Couple attended the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

With over 2,200 guests in attendance, the Coronation Service was held at Westminster Abbey, London.

Invitees included members of the Royal Family and international representatives from 203 countries and approximately 100 Heads of State, alongside community and charity champions, were included.

The grand procession of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Westminster Abbey began from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.

Formerly the Prince of Wales, King Charles III was born in 1948 and became heir apparent on the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.

King Charles III immediately acceded to the throne following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.

Following the crowning and enthronement of the King on Saturday, Queen Camilla, formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, was also crowned and enthroned.