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British RoyalsThe Edinburghs

Earl of Wessex to visit Slovenia for first Slovenia-UK Friendship Day

The UK and Slovenia share a special bond, and the Earl of Wessex will honour this relationship by launching the first Slovenia-UK Friendship Day when he travels to the country next month.

“The Embassy is delighted to confirm that His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, will visit Slovenia on the 14 and 15 May 2019, as a guest of His Excellency Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia,” said a press release from the British Embassy Ljubljana. “The visit will celebrate the history and future of the enduring friendship between the UK and Slovenia.”

On 14 May, the Earl of Wessex and President Pahor will launch Slovenia-UK Friendship Day. Further details of the event will be announced in due course, according to the embassy.

HMA Sophie Honey said: “HRH Prince Edward’s visit and the launch of Slovenia-UK Friendship Day is an opportunity to remember the great things we do together. The historic partnerships between our people date back to the Second World War and beyond. The visit will explore this friendship and its future: sharing knowledge and education, growing our economies with innovative businesses, and keeping each other safe.”

Prince Edward last visited Slovenia in 2013 along with his wife, the Countess of Wessex, and he most recently met with President Pahor in February 2019 during the president’s official visit to the United Kingdom. The Queen also received Mr Pahor at Buckingham Palace during his February trip to London.

During the Earl of Wessex’s meeting with the President, Edward shared fond memories of his and Sophie’s visit to Slovenia in 2013, when they visited Ljubljana for the first time and met President Pahor and Ms Tanja Pečar. They also discussed their shared interest in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is known as MEPI in Slovenia. Prince Edward serves as Chairman of the Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.

Mr Pahor also met with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, during which the President said “Slovenia has genuine interest in strengthening bilateral relations after Brexit” and “the pair assessed that the two countries would be closely bound by many joint values and tradition also after the UK leaves the EU.”

About author

Kristin was Chief Reporter for Royal Central until 2022 and has been following the British royal family for more than 30 years. Kristin has appeared in UK and U.S. media outlets discussing the British royals including BBC Breakfast, BBC World News, Sky News, the Associated Press, TIME, The Washington Post, and many others.